A recent study has placed the flight route from Denver International Airport to Puerto Vallarta International Airport as the third most turbulent in North America, spotlighting the growing impact of climate change on air travel comfort and safety.
The 2023 report by Turbli, a travel tool providing forecasts for turbulence, wind, and thunderstorms for flights, analyzed 150,000 routes, focusing on active airline routes as of December 2023. Utilizing the eddy dissipation rate (EDR) to measure average turbulence levels, the study categorized turbulence into light (0 to 20), moderate (20 to 40), severe (40 to 80), and extreme (80 to 100).
The Denver to Puerto Vallarta route, known for its scenic beauty, now also stands out for its challenging flying conditions, registering an average turbulence level of 14.535. This revelation is significant for travelers, particularly those journeying between the United States and the popular Mexican coastal destination of Puerto Vallarta.
The study’s findings align with a November 2023 Business Insider report attributing the increase in flight turbulence to climate change effects. This correlation underscores the broader environmental challenges facing the aviation industry and the need for adaptive strategies to ensure passenger comfort and safety.
Other routes featured in the top 10 include Boston Logan International Airport to Philadelphia International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport to Raleigh-Durham International Airport, with the latter appearing multiple times on the list. The most turbulent route, according to the study, is from Nashville International Airport to Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
As the aviation industry continues to evolve and adapt to changing environmental conditions, studies like Turbli’s offer valuable insights into the increasingly dynamic nature of air travel. For travelers flying from Denver to Puerto Vallarta, being prepared for a bumpy ride is now part of the journey.
