When is the New York to Lyon route most turbulent?

See the monthly chart above for exact patterns. Transatlantic and mountain routes are typically roughest in winter (Dec–Mar). Tropical and Caribbean routes peak during monsoon season (Jul–Sep).

What aircraft operates the JFK to LYS route?

The JFK–LYS route is typically operated by Boeing 787 · Airbus A330. Airlines include Delta, Air France.

Is turbulence on JFK to LYS dangerous?

No — turbulence on the JFK–LYS route is not dangerous to the aircraft. Modern commercial aircraft are built to withstand far more stress than any turbulence encountered. The main risk is to unbelted passengers. Always keep your seatbelt fastened when seated.

How can I check turbulence before my JFK to LYS flight?

Use the Turbulence Forecast app (iOS & Android) for real-time PIREPs, SIGMET alerts, and AI-powered forecasts for the JFK–LYS route. The app shows minute-by-minute turbulence timing for your specific flight date.

JFK to LYS Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the New York to Lyon flight turbulent?

The JFK–LYS route typically experiences light turbulence. Moderate turbulence expected — fasten seatbelt when seated.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on JFK to LYS?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Boeing 787 · Airbus A330, that's rows 20–33. Avoid the rear of the aircraft where turbulence is felt most.

Q: How long is the flight from JFK to LYS?

The JFK to LYS flight takes approximately 9h 10m, covering 4,407 miles (3,830 nautical miles) at a cruising altitude of 39,000 feet.

Is the New York to Lyon flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

JFK

→

LYS

New York · Lyon · 9h 10m

Turb Score

9h 10m

Duration

3,830 nm

Distance

39,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Light

Typical

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for JFK–LYS

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h9h 10m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the JFK–LYS route

The New York to Lyon route crosses the North Atlantic, where the jet stream is the primary source of turbulence. Flying at 39,000 feet, the aircraft encounters the strongest bumps roughly 2–5 hours into the flight. This is clear-air turbulence — no clouds, no visual warning — which makes a pre-flight forecast especially valuable.

The route is served by Delta, Air France on Boeing 787 · Airbus A330 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 39,000 feet over a distance of 4,407 miles (3,830 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Turbulence peaks mid-flight over the Atlantic. First and last hour are usually smooth.

New York to Lyon Flight Time

How long is the flight from JFK to LYS?

9h 10m

Flight Time

4,407 mi

Distance

39,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Boeing 787

Aircraft

The New York (JFK) to Lyon (LYS) flight takes approximately 9h 10m, covering 4,407 miles (3,830 nautical miles) at 39,000 feet. The route is operated by Delta, Air France. Return flights (LYS to JFK) take a similar time, though westbound transatlantic and transpacific routes are typically 30–60 minutes longer due to headwinds.

Turbulence levels on JFK–LYS

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 JFK–LYS

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on JFK–LYS

Boeing 787 (296 seats)

Front

Rows 1–19

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 20–33

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 34+

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

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

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Learn more about flight turbulence

Turbulence Tracker

Track any flight in real time

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Best Seat Guide

Which rows feel turbulence least

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Clear-Air Turbulence

The invisible rough air that's increasing

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Turbulence in 2025

Is turbulence getting worse?

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Is Turbulence Dangerous?

What the safety data shows

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Passenger Reports

A few bumpy patches somewhere over Greenland, lasted maybe half an hour total. Drink service was paused briefly. Not unusual for this time of year.

Frequent flyer · November

Flew New York–Lyon in April, had some light turbulence in the middle portion of the flight. Brief and nothing concerning. This route is usually fine.

Business traveler · April

The 9h 10m flight had some light shaking around the halfway point. Nothing spilled, nobody panicked. Just normal flying.

Leisure traveler · July

All JFK routes→ All LYS routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the New York to Lyon flight turbulent?

The JFK–LYS route typically experiences light turbulence. Moderate turbulence expected — fasten seatbelt when seated. The turbulence score for this route is 52/100.

When is turbulence worst on JFK to LYS?

Turbulence peaks mid-flight over the Atlantic. First and last hour are usually smooth. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.

Which seat is smoothest on JFK to LYS?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 787 (296 seats) (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 20–33. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from JFK to LYS?

The JFK to LYS flight takes approximately 9h 10m, covering 4,407 miles (3,830 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly JFK to LYS?

The main airlines operating this route are Delta, Air France, flying Boeing 787 · Airbus A330 aircraft.

Data Sources

PIREP — Pilot reports (PIREPs) submitted via FAA/ICAO systems, aggregated over 12+ months of historical data
SIGMET / AIRMET — Significant Meteorological Information bulletins from NOAA Aviation Weather Center
EDR data — Eddy Dissipation Rate measurements from commercial aircraft (ADS-B derived turbulence intensity)
Seasonal patterns — 5-year rolling averages of turbulence frequency and intensity by month for this route

Scores represent typical conditions. Actual turbulence varies daily. For real-time forecasts, use the Turbulence Forecast app. · About our data