Is the flight to Thailand turbulent?
Ultra-long-haul flights spend most of the journey in smooth cruise, but they cross one or more jet streams where clear-air turbulence is possible, and the final hours over Southeast Asia pass through the tropics, where towering afternoon thunderstorms create convective turbulence that pilots route around.
When is the smoothest time to fly to Thailand?
Thailand's dry season (November–February) has the least convective turbulence near the destination. The monsoon and rainy season (roughly May–October) brings frequent thunderstorms, so the last stretch of the flight is bumpier, especially in the afternoon.
Why is there turbulence over Southeast Asia?
The tropics are the most convectively active place on Earth: intense daytime heating builds huge thunderstorms, and the Intertropical Convergence Zone parks bands of storms across the region. Aircraft steer around the cells, but nearby air can still be choppy.
Where should I sit on a flight to Thailand?
Over the wing, near the aircraft's center of gravity, gives the steadiest ride. Keep your seatbelt fastened even when the sign is off — clear-air turbulence over the Pacific can appear suddenly. On overnight flights the smoothest air is usually found by belting over the blanket and staying buckled while you sleep.