When is the Los Angeles to Guangzhou 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 LAX to CAN route?

The LAX–CAN route is typically operated by B · o · e · i · n · g · · 7 · 8 · 7. Airlines include China Southern.

Is turbulence on LAX to CAN dangerous?

No — turbulence on the LAX–CAN 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 LAX to CAN flight?

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

LAX to CAN Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Los Angeles to Guangzhou flight turbulent?

The LAX–CAN route typically experiences moderate turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on LAX to CAN?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a B · o · e · i · n · g · · 7 · 8 · 7, that's rows 20-30. Avoid the rear of the aircraft where turbulence is felt most.

Q: How long is the flight from LAX to CAN?

The LAX to CAN flight takes approximately 14h 0min, covering 7,200 miles (6,256 nautical miles) at a cruising altitude of 37,000 feet.

Is the Los Angeles to Guangzhou flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

LAX

→

CAN

Los Angeles · Guangzhou · 14h 0min

Turb Score

14h 0min

Duration

6,256 nm

Distance

37,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Moderate

Typical

⚠️ Moderate turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for LAX–CAN

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h14h 0min

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the LAX–CAN route

The Los Angeles to Guangzhou route spans the Pacific Ocean — one of the longest commercial flight paths in the world at 7,200 miles. The Pacific jet stream creates moderate turbulence, typically around 3–7 hours into the flight. The sheer length of the route means passengers experience varying conditions: calm stretches punctuated by bumpy patches.

The route is served by China Southern on B · o · e · i · n · g · · 7 · 8 · 7 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 37,000 feet over a distance of 7,200 miles (6,256 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Long flight — turbulence varies throughout. Wing seats significantly reduce motion.

Los Angeles to Guangzhou Flight Time

How long is the flight from LAX to CAN?

14h 0min

Flight Time

7,200 mi

Distance

37,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Aircraft

The Los Angeles (LAX) to Guangzhou (CAN) flight takes approximately 14h 0min, covering 7,200 miles (6,256 nautical miles) at 37,000 feet. The route is operated by China Southern. Return flights (CAN to LAX) take a similar time, though westbound transatlantic and transpacific routes are typically 30–60 minutes longer due to headwinds.

Turbulence levels on LAX–CAN

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

Get minute-by-minute timing for your specific flight

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Best time to fly LAX–CAN

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on LAX–CAN

228

Front

Rows 1–19

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 20-30

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 31+

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

Los Angeles → Bozeman

Moderate

LAX → PEK

Los Angeles → Beijing

Moderate

PHL → CAN

Philadelphia → Guangzhou

See all transpacific flights →

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Global turbulence outlook

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Passenger Reports

Moderate turbulence somewhere over the ocean — the kind where you're glad you kept your seatbelt on. Lasted about 30-40 minutes, then smoothed out. I've had worse on transatlantic routes.

Frequent flyer · January

Rough patch somewhere over the ocean in June — drinks went everywhere on the row behind me. Probably 45 minutes of actual turbulence. Nothing dangerous but definitely uncomfortable.

Business traveler · June

Flew this in May expecting smooth skies based on past experience, but it was noticeably bumpier than usual. About an hour of moderate chop. Seatbelt sign basically stayed on.

Regular traveler · May

All LAX routes→ All CAN routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Los Angeles to Guangzhou flight turbulent?

The LAX–CAN route typically experiences moderate turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected. The turbulence score for this route is 5/100.

When is turbulence worst on LAX to CAN?

Long flight — turbulence varies throughout. Wing seats significantly reduce motion. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.

Which seat is smoothest on LAX to CAN?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a 228 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 20-30. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from LAX to CAN?

The LAX to CAN flight takes approximately 14h 0min, covering 7,200 miles (6,256 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly LAX to CAN?

The main airlines operating this route are China Southern, flying B · o · e · i · n · g · · 7 · 8 · 7 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