When is the Quito to Santiago 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 SCL route?

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

Is turbulence on UIO to SCL dangerous?

No — turbulence on the UIO–SCL 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 SCL flight?

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

UIO to SCL Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Quito to Santiago flight turbulent?

The UIO–SCL route typically experiences light turbulence.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on UIO to SCL?

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 SCL?

The UIO to SCL flight takes approximately 5h 15m, covering 2,350 miles (2,042 nautical miles) at a cruising altitude of 35,000 feet.

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

Live forecast

UIO

→

SCL

Quito · Santiago · 5h 15m

35.3

Turb Score

5h 15m

Duration

2,042 nm

Distance

35,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Light

Typical

⚠️ Light turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for UIO–SCL

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h5h 15m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the UIO–SCL route

The Quito to Santiago 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 2,350 miles (2,042 nautical miles).

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

Quito to Santiago Flight Time

How long is the flight from UIO to SCL?

5h 15m

Flight Time

2,350 mi

Distance

35,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Airbus A320

Aircraft

The Quito (UIO) to Santiago (SCL) flight takes approximately 5h 15m, covering 2,350 miles (2,042 nautical miles) at 35,000 feet. The route is operated by LATAM, Avianca, Copa Airlines. Return flights (SCL 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–SCL

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 UIO–SCL

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on UIO–SCL

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

Buenos Aires → Santiago

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

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Turbulence Forecast Map

Global turbulence outlook

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Passenger Reports

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 · March

Kids barely noticed the turbulence — just some mild bumps on the Andes crossing. Seatbelt sign was on and off a couple times. Nothing dramatic.

Parent traveling with kids · November

Some light chop over the mountains — seatbelt sign came on for maybe 20 minutes but nothing to worry about. Typical for this route in January.

Regular traveler · January

All UIO routes→ All SCL routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Quito to Santiago flight turbulent?

The UIO–SCL route typically experiences light turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 35.3/100.

When is turbulence worst on UIO to SCL?

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 SCL?

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 SCL?

The UIO to SCL flight takes approximately 5h 15m, covering 2,350 miles (2,042 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly UIO to SCL?

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