When is the Puerto Vallarta to Tijuana 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 PVR to TIJ route?

The PVR–TIJ route is typically operated by Airbus A320 · Boeing 737. Airlines include LATAM, Avianca, Copa Airlines.

Is turbulence on PVR to TIJ dangerous?

No — turbulence on the PVR–TIJ 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 PVR to TIJ flight?

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

PVR to TIJ Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Puerto Vallarta to Tijuana flight turbulent?

The PVR–TIJ route typically experiences smooth turbulence.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on PVR to TIJ?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Airbus A320 · Boeing 737, that's rows 10–20. Avoid the rear of the aircraft where turbulence is felt most.

Q: How long is the flight from PVR to TIJ?

The PVR to TIJ flight takes approximately 2h 45m, covering 1,092 miles (949 nautical miles) at a cruising altitude of 35,000 feet.

Is the Puerto Vallarta to Tijuana flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

PVR

→

TIJ

Puerto Vallarta · Tijuana · 2h 45m

23.6

Turb Score

2h 45m

Duration

949 nm

Distance

35,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Smooth

Typical

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for PVR–TIJ

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h2h 45m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the PVR–TIJ route

The Puerto Vallarta to Tijuana route crosses the North Atlantic, where the jet stream is the primary source of turbulence. Flying at 35,000 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 LATAM, Avianca, Copa Airlines on Airbus A320 · Boeing 737 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 35,000 feet over a distance of 1,092 miles (949 nautical miles).

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

Puerto Vallarta to Tijuana Flight Time

How long is the flight from PVR to TIJ?

2h 45m

Flight Time

1,092 mi

Distance

35,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Airbus A320

Aircraft

The Puerto Vallarta (PVR) to Tijuana (TIJ) flight takes approximately 2h 45m, covering 1,092 miles (949 nautical miles) at 35,000 feet. The route is operated by LATAM, Avianca, Copa Airlines. Return flights (TIJ to PVR) take a similar time, though westbound transatlantic and transpacific routes are typically 30–60 minutes longer due to headwinds.

Turbulence levels on PVR–TIJ

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 PVR–TIJ

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on PVR–TIJ

Airbus A320

Front

Rows 1–9

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 10–20

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 21+

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

PVR → DEN

Puerto Vallarta → Denver

Severe

PVR → MZT

Puerto Vallarta → Mazatlán

Light

PVR → JFK

Puerto Vallarta → New York

Mexico City → Tijuana

Light

See all transatlantic flights →

Related guides

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

→

Turbulence Forecast Map

Global turbulence outlook

→

Passenger Reports

I always expect the worst on longer flights but this one surprised me. Very little turbulence, only a few small bumps on descent. Manageable even for me.

Nervous flyer · March

Was nervous about this flight but honestly didn't need to be. Smooth the whole way, the 2h 45m went by fast.

First-time passenger · September

Did Puerto Vallarta to Tijuana last January and it was genuinely one of the smoothest long-haul flights I've had. Barely any movement the whole way.

Frequent flyer · January

All PVR routes→ All TIJ routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Puerto Vallarta to Tijuana flight turbulent?

The PVR–TIJ route typically experiences smooth turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 23.6/100.

When is turbulence worst on PVR to TIJ?

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 PVR to TIJ?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Airbus A320 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 10–20. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from PVR to TIJ?

The PVR to TIJ flight takes approximately 2h 45m, covering 1,092 miles (949 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly PVR to TIJ?

The main airlines operating this route are LATAM, Avianca, Copa Airlines, flying Airbus A320 · Boeing 737 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