Turbli\u2019s analysis draws from the same core datasets used in commercial flight planning, including information from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the UK Met Office, offering an unusually transparent look at where passengers are most likely to encounter bumpy air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Notably, the list focuses specifically on approaches and descents, rather than departures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While takeoffs and landings are often affected by crosswinds, turbulence itself is most consistently experienced during descent phases, particularly near mountainous terrain where airflow is disrupted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This distinction is critical: turbulence is caused not by wind alone, but by rapid changes in air movement, including vertical drafts, shear zones, and thermal activity\u2014conditions that intensify around high-elevation airports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n EDR, or eddy dissipation rate, measures how quickly turbulent energy dissipates in the atmosphere. In simple terms, the higher the number, the rougher the ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Turbli categorizes EDR values as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n All airports on the 2025 top-10 list fall within the upper end of the \u201clight\u201d category, though frequent exposure makes these locations statistically more turbulent than their peers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Average EDR: 17.91<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Topping the list is Denver<\/a>, long notorious among frequent flyers for choppy descents. Situated near the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains, DEN is particularly vulnerable to mountain wave turbulence, especially during periods of strong westerly flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Average EDR: 17.55<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Montana\u2019s Bozeman airport ranks second, reflecting its proximity to rugged terrain and rapidly changing weather systems that funnel through the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Average EDR: 16.62<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n High elevation and desert thermals contribute to Albuquerque\u2019s turbulence profile, particularly during warmer months when rising air intensifies instability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Average EDR: 16.56<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Salt Lake City\u2019s<\/a> location between mountain ranges creates ideal conditions for airflow disruption, especially during winter storm systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Average EDR: 16.39<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Nestled within a valley surrounded by peaks, Jackson Hole is one of the most scenic\u2014and aerodynamically complex\u2014airports in the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Average EDR: 16.15<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The only major Canadian airport on the list, Vancouver\u2019s turbulence is shaped by coastal weather patterns interacting with nearby mountains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Average EDR: 15.83<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite its desert setting, Las Vegas frequently experiences turbulence driven by thermal activity and shifting wind patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Average EDR: 15.77<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Seattle\u2019s<\/a> mix of maritime air, terrain, and frontal systems earns it a spot in the top ten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Average EDR: 15.59<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Reno\u2019s position near the Sierra Nevada range exposes arriving aircraft to frequent mountain-induced turbulence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Average EDR: 15.47<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Rounding out the list, Boise experiences turbulence tied to regional topography and seasonal weather transitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to airports, Turbli also ranked the most turbulent flight routes in North America. Unsurprisingly, routes connecting Rocky Mountain airports dominate the list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most turbulent route overall in 2025 is Denver\u2013Jackson, posting an EDR of 18. Other high-ranking routes include Albuquerque\u2013Denver and Jackson\u2013Salt Lake City, reinforcing the role of terrain rather than traffic density in shaping turbulence exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Globally, the roughest airport was identified as Santiago, Chile, while the most turbulent route linked Mendoza, Argentina, with Santiago, both heavily influenced by the Andes mountain range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite its fearsome reputation among nervous flyers, turbulence remains one of the least dangerous aspects of air travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) shows that between 2009 and 2023, there were just 184 serious turbulence-related injuries in the U.S. Of those, only 37 involved passengers, with the remainder affecting cabin crew\u2014often when seatbelts were not fastened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Modern commercial aircraft are engineered to withstand turbulence far beyond anything encountered in routine operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For passengers keen to anticipate flight conditions, Turbli offers a public forecasting tool that allows users to enter their flight number and route, producing an hour-by-hour turbulence graph for the journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While no forecast can eliminate uncertainty, such tools can help demystify turbulence\u2014and remind travelers that a bumpy descent is usually just another normal day in the sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Turbulence may be uncomfortable, but it is expected, well understood, and rigorously planned for\u2014especially at North America\u2019s most turbulence-prone airports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Join us on\u00a0Telegram Group\u00a0<\/a>for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on\u00a0Google News<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"These](\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/4836371745_53aedc258c_k.webp\")
Most Turbulent Airports in North America<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Salt](\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Salt_Lake_City_SLC_PhotoByBruceDamonte.webp\")
Understanding the EDR Scale<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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![\"These](\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/n7r0icv9.webp\")
The 10 Most Turbulent Airports in North America (2025)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Denver International Airport (DEN)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Jackson Hole Airport (JAC)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Vancouver International Airport (YVR)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7. Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas (LAS)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
8. Seattle\u2013Tacoma International Airport (SEA)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
9. Reno\u2013Tahoe International Airport (RNO)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
10. Boise Airport (BOI)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Las](\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Las-Vegas-International-Airport.webp\")
Turbulent Routes Tell a Similar Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"These](\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Vancouver_Airport_Skytrain_Station_2008-04-22.webp\")
How Risky Is Turbulence\u2014Really?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GpzycK9aYAEe5mV.webp\")
Tools for Nervous Flyers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"These](\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Seattle-Tacoma-Airport.webp\")
Bottom line<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n