SYX to CTU Turbulence Forecast
Is the Sanya to Chengdu flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.
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Typical turbulence along the route
Historical average pattern for SYX–CTU
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h2h 25m
About the SYX–CTU route
The Sanya to Chengdu route crosses the North Atlantic, where the jet stream is the primary source of turbulence. Flying at 33,000 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 Air China, China Eastern, China Southern on Airbus A320 · Boeing 737 aircraft,
with flights typically cruising at 33,000 feet over a distance of 915 miles (795 nautical miles).
💡 Tip: Turbulence peaks mid-flight over the Atlantic. First and last hour are usually smooth.
Sanya to Chengdu Flight Time
How long is the flight from SYX to CTU?
33,000 ft
Cruising Altitude
The Sanya (SYX) to Chengdu (CTU) flight takes approximately 2h 25m,
covering 915 miles (795 nautical miles) at 33,000 feet.
The route is operated by Air China, China Eastern, China Southern.
Return flights (CTU to SYX) take a similar time, though westbound transatlantic and transpacific routes are typically 30–60 minutes longer due to headwinds.
Turbulence levels on SYX–CTU
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
Best time to fly SYX–CTU
Turbulence by month
Best seat on SYX–CTU
Airbus A320
✓ Wing
Rows 10–20
Smoothest
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
Related guides
Learn more about flight turbulence
Passenger Reports
Was nervous about this flight but honestly didn't need to be. Smooth the whole way, the 2h 25m went by fast.
First-time passenger · April
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 · May
Fly this route pretty regularly for work. Most of the time it's smooth — January was completely fine, not a bump worth mentioning.
Business traveler · January
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sanya to Chengdu flight turbulent?
The SYX–CTU route typically experiences smooth turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 23.4/100.
When is turbulence worst on SYX to CTU?
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 SYX to CTU?
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 SYX to CTU?
The SYX to CTU flight takes approximately 2h 25m, covering 915 miles (795 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly SYX to CTU?
The main airlines operating this route are Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, 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