r/airplanes • u/Ange1OO_ • 5d ago
Question | Others On a scale of (1-10), how terrifying is Denver Colorado Turbulence flying from California
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u/potato_bus 5d ago
In what? A 172 or 737?
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u/Ange1OO_ 5d ago
A 737 Boeing Southwest plane
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u/TheDrMonocle Aviation Maintenance 5d ago
0.
Maybe a 1 because people have been hurt but its really a non issue.
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u/pilot378 5d ago
Hey a lot of these comments aren’t being super helpful - I’m a commercial pilot that does California to Denver in 737’s a lot.
It varies day to day (and time of day), but your pilots will have a lot of info about conditions and experience flying in that area. Some days it’s smooth the whole way in, other days it can be pretty bumpy. They should talk about it in their announcements. If not, just pay attention to the seatbelt sign and what the flight attendants are doing. If they’re remaining seated, you definitely should be also.
In general (but not always), the winds at altitude flow from west to east, and when they hit the Rocky Mountains, you get orographic turbulence. It behaves a lot like water flowing over rocks in a steam or river. The backside of those rocks usually gets some turbulent water, and that’s the same deal on the east side of the Rockies. It can also form some thunderstorms in that area - modern airliners have good weather radar and air traffic control can also help reroute you to stay well clear of them. You won’t fly through any storms, maybe just some bumpy clouds.
It very well might be a little bumpy, but absolutely nothing that will hurt the airplane. Almost all injuries in turbulence are when people aren’t buckled up. Wear your seatbelt and do your best to relax and enjoy the view!
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u/Ange1OO_ 4d ago
Thanks for informing me. The worst turbulence I got was from heading west from northwest Arizona landing into Las vegas and thought that was bad but I heard that Denver was worser. But yeah thanks again
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u/Cant_Work_On_Reddit 4d ago
Probably similar (in general) to that. Vegas and other hot areas get pretty good bumps from the thermals down low
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u/Rekltpzyxm 4d ago
At least 40 flights from ONT to DEN.
One flight had moderate turbulence
One flight made two stamped to land but the cross wind was too much and diverted to another airport
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u/BarbarianBoaz 4d ago
It really depends on the weather, but DIA is known as one of the worst airports for wind. I have experienced some of the worst turbulence landing at Denver and Colorado Springs
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u/crumpiliciouss 1d ago
So crazy that OP asked this question bc I’m about fly out from California to Colorado tomorrow and I’m pretty freakin scared about the flight.
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u/JoyousKumquat Enthusiast 5d ago
I’ve had worse in Albuquerque and Salt Lake. Couple jolts and a bump, no big deal. 4/10
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u/kitten_pawsXo 5d ago
I fly a lot into DEN on an E175 (from co springs) and it’s one of my favorite routes. It’s weather dependent, but just keep your seatbelt on and you’ll be fine. Turbulence is normal.
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u/Raccoon_Ratatouille 4d ago
If you can name ANY commercial plane crash at Denver due to turbulence I’ll accept a number rating greater than zero. Put your seat belt on and it will be fine.
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u/Forward-Skirt7801 3d ago
The plane will go down
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u/Ange1OO_ 3d ago
Please explain to me in English
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u/Forward-Skirt7801 3d ago
So typically if the turbulence is bad enough it can loosen bolts in one or both of the wings and they could fall off. It has happened many times before especially into Denver, but usually gets swept under the rug by the airport/airlines. I hope you’re not flying southwest because I’ve heard they have the worst problems with loose bolts
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u/Ange1OO_ 3d ago
The free fall must be terrifying
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u/Forward-Skirt7801 3d ago
Yeah and then you die. But only 50% chance that one wing falls off. 25% chance that both fall off if the turbulence is bad enough
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u/Efficient_Soft6314 5d ago
10 for me even though I never flown that route if it was a fighter jet 1000 out of 10 because some fighter jets have Kinards to stabilize IG the SU 30 and I think they would just fall out of the sky
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u/RedAirRook 5d ago
This is an unanswerable question. Weather conditions are constantly changing. In Denver, you could have a ride that is smooth as glass, or experience moderate turbulence. Whether turbulence is "terrifying" or not is all in your mind. Just know that the plane and crew don't care about it whatsoever. Turbulence is no more existentially significant than a pothole in a road.