The 10 most turbulent flight routes in the world in 2025

If you think you've experienced a bumpy flight, it might not have been the worst. According to research by Turbli, the top ten most turbulent flight routes globally in 2025 reveal just how intense turbulence can be. These routes are all located across four countries on two continents and involve flying at high altitudes.

Turbulence is measured in Eddy Dissipation Rate (EDR), which describes the intensity of the turbulence, irrespective of the aircraft's characteristics. This means that the same level of turbulence might feel different depending on the size and structure of the plane. Here is the list of the most turbulent routes for 2025.

Tenth place is the route from San Carlos de Bariloche in Argentina to Santiago, Chile. This route, with a flight time of just two hours, is likely bumpy due to flying over the Andes Mountains. Drastic changes in terrain height, especially mountains, can generate eddies, which are disturbances in the airflow. The average EDR for this route is 18.475, and 0-20 is considered light turbulence. This route is one of four on the list that includes Santiago, and one of five in South America.

Next is ninth place, the route from Chengdu, China, to Xining, with a flight time of nearly 14 hours, flying over rugged mountainous terrain, with an average EDR of 18.482. Eighth place is the route from Kathmandu to Paro, Bhutan, with a flight time of just over an hour, known for turbulence due to the influence of the Himalayas, with an average EDR of 18.563. Seventh place is the route from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, to Santiago, Chile, with a flight time of about 3 hours, and an average EDR of 18.598, also flying over the Andes Mountains.

Sixth place is the route from Chengdu, China, to Lhasa, where passengers have previously recorded extreme turbulence on this route, with a flight time of just over 2 hours, and an average EDR of 18.644. Fifth place is the route from Kathmandu to Lhasa, with a flight time of 2 hours, and an average EDR of 18.817, also located in a mountainous region. Fourth place is the route from Mendoza, Argentina, to San Carlos de Bariloche, with a flight time of less than 2 hours, and an average EDR of 19.252, flying along the Andes Mountains. Third place is the route from Mendoza to Salta, with a flight time of less than 2 hours, and an average EDR of 19.825, also flying over the Andes.

Second place is the route from Cordoba, Argentina, to Santiago, Chile, with a flight time of only one and a half hours, and an average EDR as high as 20.214. This route requires planes to cross the Andes Mountains, flying over Mendoza and the Argentina-Chile border. Unsurprisingly, the route from Mendoza to Santiago is the most turbulent route globally in 2025, with an average EDR as high as 24.684, a full 4 points higher than second place. Flying over the Andes Mountains, high altitudes, and unpredictable winds contribute to the extremely bumpy flights. Fortunately, the flight time is only one hour, so you don't have to endure it for too long.