When is the Philadelphia to Seoul 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 PHL to ICN route?

The PHL–ICN route is typically operated by Boeing 777 · Airbus A350. Airlines include United, American Airlines, Delta.

Is turbulence on PHL to ICN dangerous?

No — turbulence on the PHL–ICN 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 PHL to ICN flight?

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

PHL to ICN Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Philadelphia to Seoul flight turbulent?

The PHL–ICN route typically experiences moderate turbulence.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on PHL to ICN?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Boeing 777 · Airbus A350, that's rows 20–38. Avoid the rear of the aircraft where turbulence is felt most.

Q: How long is the flight from PHL to ICN?

The PHL to ICN flight takes approximately 13h 45m, covering 6,918 miles (6,012 nautical miles) at a cruising altitude of 37,000 feet.

Is the Philadelphia to Seoul flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

PHL

→

ICN

Philadelphia · Seoul · 13h 45m

46.4

Turb Score

13h 45m

Duration

6,012 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 PHL–ICN

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h13h 45m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the PHL–ICN route

The Philadelphia to Seoul route spans the Pacific Ocean — one of the longest commercial flight paths in the world at 6,918 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 United, American Airlines, Delta on Boeing 777 · Airbus A350 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 37,000 feet over a distance of 6,918 miles (6,012 nautical miles).

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

Philadelphia to Seoul Flight Time

How long is the flight from PHL to ICN?

13h 45m

Flight Time

6,918 mi

Distance

37,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Boeing 777

Aircraft

The Philadelphia (PHL) to Seoul (ICN) flight takes approximately 13h 45m, covering 6,918 miles (6,012 nautical miles) at 37,000 feet. The route is operated by United, American Airlines, Delta. Return flights (ICN to PHL) take a similar time, though westbound transatlantic and transpacific routes are typically 30–60 minutes longer due to headwinds.

Turbulence levels on PHL–ICN

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 PHL–ICN

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on PHL–ICN

Boeing 777

Front

Rows 1–19

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 20–38

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 39+

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

Philadelphia → Frankfurt

Moderate

PHL → LHR

Philadelphia → London

See all transpacific flights →

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Clear-Air Turbulence

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Turbulence in 2025

Is turbulence getting worse?

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Turbulence Forecast Map

Global turbulence outlook

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Passenger Reports

Flew this in April 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 · April

The over the Pacific section was legitimately rough. I was holding on to the armrests. Lasted maybe 40 minutes. One of the flight attendants had to sit down. Not a fun 13h 45m flight but we landed fine.

Solo traveler · October

Moderate turbulence over the North Pacific — 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

All PHL routes→ All ICN routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Philadelphia to Seoul flight turbulent?

The PHL–ICN route typically experiences moderate turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 46.4/100.

When is turbulence worst on PHL to ICN?

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 PHL to ICN?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 777 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 20–38. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from PHL to ICN?

The PHL to ICN flight takes approximately 13h 45m, covering 6,918 miles (6,012 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly PHL to ICN?

The main airlines operating this route are United, American Airlines, Delta, flying Boeing 777 · Airbus A350 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