When is the Quito to Medellín 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 UIO to MDE route?

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

Is turbulence on UIO to MDE dangerous?

No — turbulence on the UIO–MDE 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 UIO to MDE flight?

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

UIO to MDE Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Quito to Medellín flight turbulent?

The UIO–MDE route typically experiences light turbulence.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on UIO to MDE?

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 UIO to MDE?

The UIO to MDE flight takes approximately 1h 35m, covering 480 miles (417 nautical miles) at a cruising altitude of 33,000 feet.

Is the Quito to Medellín flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

UIO

→

MDE

Quito · Medellín · 1h 35m

33.2

Turb Score

1h 35m

Duration

417 nm

Distance

33,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Light

Typical

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for UIO–MDE

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h1h 35m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the UIO–MDE route

The Quito to Medellín 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 LATAM, Avianca, Copa Airlines on Airbus A320 · Boeing 737 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 33,000 feet over a distance of 480 miles (417 nautical miles).

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

Quito to Medellín Flight Time

How long is the flight from UIO to MDE?

1h 35m

Flight Time

480 mi

Distance

33,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Airbus A320

Aircraft

The Quito (UIO) to Medellín (MDE) flight takes approximately 1h 35m, covering 480 miles (417 nautical miles) at 33,000 feet. The route is operated by LATAM, Avianca, Copa Airlines. Return flights (MDE to UIO) take a similar time, though westbound transatlantic and transpacific routes are typically 30–60 minutes longer due to headwinds.

Turbulence levels on UIO–MDE

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 UIO–MDE

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on UIO–MDE

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

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Turbulence Tracker

Track any flight in real time

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Best Seat Guide

Which rows feel turbulence least

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Turbulence Forecast Map

Global turbulence outlook

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Passenger Reports

The 1h 35m flight had some light shaking around the halfway point. Nothing spilled, nobody panicked. Just normal flying.

Leisure traveler · March

Some light chop on the Andes crossing — seatbelt sign came on for maybe 20 minutes but nothing to worry about. Typical for this route in March.

Regular traveler · March

There was some noticeable movement crossing the Andes that made me grip the armrest. My seatmate (clearly a regular) didn't even look up from their book. Perspective.

First-time flyer · January

All UIO routes→ All MDE routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Quito to Medellín flight turbulent?

The UIO–MDE route typically experiences light turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 33.2/100.

When is turbulence worst on UIO to MDE?

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 UIO to MDE?

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 UIO to MDE?

The UIO to MDE flight takes approximately 1h 35m, covering 480 miles (417 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly UIO to MDE?

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