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XNN to LXA Turbulence Forecast

Is the Xining to Lhasa flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast
XNN
→
LXA
Xining · Lhasa · 2h 5m
20.4
Turb Score
2h 5m
Duration
745 nm
Distance
29,000 ft
Cruise Alt.
extreme
Typical
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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for XNN–LXA

Smooth Light Moderate
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h2h 5m
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Heavy

About the XNN–LXA route

The Xining to Lhasa route crosses the Rocky Mountains — one of the most turbulent regions in North America. Mountain wave turbulence occurs when strong winds blow over mountain peaks, creating powerful invisible waves that extend to cruise altitude. The worst turbulence typically occurs in the first 30–60 minutes when the aircraft is climbing over the range.

The route is served by Air China, Tibet Airlines on Airbus A319 · Boeing 737 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 29,000 feet over a distance of 857 miles (745 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Mountain wave turbulence hits early. If flying over Rockies, expect the first hour to be bumpy.

Turbulence levels on XNN–LXA

What to expect at each phase of the flight

SmoothDeparture & arrival — climb and descent phases are generally calm
LightMinor bumps — drink stays in your cup, walking feels slightly unsteady
ModerateNoticeable bumps — stay seated with seatbelt on, service may pause
HeavyStrong jolts — unsecured items move, crew seated. Rare but possible

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Best time to fly XNN–LXA

Turbulence by month

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Rough

Best seat on XNN–LXA

Airbus A319

Front
Rows 1–13
Light
✓ Wing
Rows 14-20
Smoothest
Rear
Rows 21+
Rougher
Wing seats are over the center of gravity — least affected by turbulence.

What you'll see in the app

Full forecast, live map & seat recommendations

XNN to LXA turbulence forecast app
Flight turbulence tracker
Real-time turbulence map

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

LXA → XNN
Lhasa → Xining
extreme
XNN → INC
Xining → Yinchuan
extreme
LXA → CTU
Lhasa → Chengdu
extreme
See all mountain routes →
All XNN routes→ All LXA routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Xining to Lhasa flight turbulent?
The XNN–LXA route typically experiences extreme turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 20.4/100.
When is turbulence worst on XNN to LXA?
Mountain wave turbulence hits early. If flying over Rockies, expect the first hour to be bumpy. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.
Which seat is smoothest on XNN to LXA?
Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Airbus A319 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 14-20. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.
How long is the flight from XNN to LXA?
The XNN to LXA flight takes approximately 2h 5m, covering 857 miles (745 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly XNN to LXA?
The main airlines operating this route are Air China, Tibet Airlines, flying Airbus A319 · Boeing 737 aircraft.