Travelers flying into Denver often find themselves in for a bumpy descent, and it’s not just their imagination.
A recent ranking by Turbli.com ranks Denver International Airport (DEN) as the most turbulent major airport in the United States, a sentiment echoed by experienced pilots.
Following closely behind Denver on the turbulence scale are Bozeman (BZN), Albuquerque (ABQ), Salt Lake City (SLC), and Jackson Hole (JAC).
These airports are all situated in or near mountainous terrains that are known for creating unpredictable flying conditions.
Ryan Tseko, an experienced pilot familiar with a variety of aircraft, highlights the many challenges Denver presents to pilots.
He explains, ‘There’s a lot of wind, a lot of weather, snow and rain and everything else.’
The Unique Challenges of Denver
Meteorologist Jonathan Belles points out that Denver’s geographical location plays a significant role in its turbulent flying conditions.
Located in what’s known as the Denver Convergence Vorticity Zone, this area experiences air currents that converge and spin, occasionally forming tornadoes and landspouts.
The elevation changes surrounding the city add to the challenges; with flat terrain to the east and the rising Rockies to the west, the aircraft faces a unique set of conditions during approach and descent.
Tseko elaborates on these aspects, stating, ‘When you’re flying over those mountains, all of that wind, all of that weather is riding up those ridges, and it actually is forcing that air up.’
This means that turbulence is accentuated when flying over such geographical features compared to flat areas.
Moreover, Denver’s reputation as the ‘Mile High City’ adds another layer of complexity.
The atmospheric pressure at such high elevations differs significantly from sea-level locations, further impacting flight dynamics.
The Pilot Perspective: Navigating Turbulence
For pilots, turbulence is seen as the ultimate test of their skills.
Tseko, who has a wealth of flying experience, shares that managing turbulence while ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers can significantly increase the stress level during a flight.
He likens landing in turbulent conditions to ‘riding a mechanical bull,’ emphasizing the effort required to keep the aircraft stable.
However, he reassures passengers that a bumpy landing does not mean the pilot has made a mistake.
In fact, he says landing successfully in such conditions often indicates the pilot’s skill level.
‘If it’s a really windy day, what happens is you’re crabbing, you’re coming in to land, you’re pushing on the rudder, you’re getting that airplane straight so it’s down the center line,’ explains Tseko.
He further describes the technique used during such landings: ‘If the wind’s coming out of the left, you actually want to tilt the airplane a little bit to the left so your wing is into the wind.’
When pilots successfully land the plane despite the wind, they have effectively performed a challenging maneuver.
Understanding Turbulence: Categorizing the Experience
Tseko provides clarity on what turbulence feels like from a passenger’s viewpoint.
He categorizes turbulence into three levels: light, moderate, and severe.
Light turbulence is common, characterized by minor bumps and bounces.
Moderate turbulence involves sustained movement that may cause passenger discomfort, while severe turbulence is rare and can present serious risks to the aircraft.
‘I’ve never encountered severe, and I hope most people have never encountered severe,’ he says, highlighting the dangers associated with such turbulence.
How the Rankings Were Formed
The rankings from Turbli.com were compiled using forecasting data from NOAA and the UK Met Office.
They measured the highest turbulence levels during a flight’s approach and descent, distinctly focusing on those phases rather than during takeoff or landing.
The results are as follows:
1. Denver International Airport (DEN) – The combination of its mile-high elevation, mountainous terrain, and rapidly changing weather conditions secures its position as the bumpiest airport.
2. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) – Nestled in Montana, Bozeman frequently sees gusty winds and strong air currents influenced by the surrounding mountains.
3. Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) – Located amidst desert terrain, Albuquerque experiences hot air movements that contribute to turbulence during approaches.
4. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) – The city’s mountain winds coupled with lake-effect weather patterns create turbulence, even on otherwise clear days.
5. Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) – Situated in Grand Teton National Park, the scenic views are often accompanied by rough landing conditions.
As travelers prepare for flights into these turbulent airports, they’re reminded to trust their pilots and brace for the reality of bumpy rides.
Tseko encapsulates the pilot’s perspective: ‘Some of my best landings are in windy conditions because you’re just Johnny-on-the-spot.
You have to be on your game as a pilot, managing the complexities inherent in flight.’
image source from：https://weather.com/travel/news/2025-05-21-these-airports-are-the-bumpiest
