What is Airline Turbulence and Is It Hazardous?

When you’re enjoying an airline flight that’s flowing along smoothly when the plane starts suddenly shaking and bouncing, it’s easy to assume that a crash is imminent. Fortunately, that’s rarely the case. However, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t understand what’s going on when the plane starts jostling around in the air. Learn more about what turbulence is, what causes it, and whether it’s dangerous for travelers.

Commercial airlines typically fly somewhere between 31,000 and 42,000 feet in the air. When everything goes smoothly, flying can actually be a very relaxing experience as you soar effortlessly through the air reaching your destination much quicker than you would be able to by driving. Unfortunately, turbulence can spark feelings of fear and anxiety, especially if you’re not accustomed to flying or you’ve never gone through the stress of feeling yourself rattling around in an airplane that’s tens of thousands of feet above the ground.

There is good news. Airline crashes are incredibly rare. In fact, studies show that your chances of being involved in a plane crash are only 1 in 5.4 million, and your chances of perishing in a plane crash are only 1 in 11 million. The odds truly are in your favor when you step onto an airplane and take off for your destination.

However, if you’re new to flying or haven’t experienced turbulence, it’s natural to wonder what’s happening. When the glass on your seat tray starts to shake and it feels like the windows are about to burst, fear is the natural reaction. This is only made worse when other people on the plane shriek in terror and slip into a state of panic.

Knowledge can be a very calming tool to have at your disposal, especially when you’re in a position to panic. While you can’t do anything about turbulence on your next flight, understanding what’s causing it and any danger that it poses to you is important.