An easyJet pilot has revealed the European flight path notorious for severe turbulence, particularly during this time of year when weather conditions are more volatile.
The budget airline’s pilot, Chris, disclosed to eSIM travel company Airalo that Innsbruck in Austria is infamous for its rough flights due to its valley location.
He explained: “When it comes to the worst areas for turbulence, Innsbruck, Austria, located in a valley, is notorious for severe turbulence. The strong winds in the area can reach speeds of up to 60 miles per hour.”
He further detailed the challenges at Innsbruck Airport, saying: “Innsbruck Airport is also infamous for severe turbulence, caused by strong winds funneling through the narrow valleys between the towering mountains that surround it. These winds tumble over the rugged terrain, often creating mountain waves and in turn a highly turbulent landing experience.”
Chris also highlighted the Adriatic coast as a problematic route, especially in late summer and early winter, due to weather build-ups.
He noted that from November to March, storms are frequent, leading to extreme turbulence, with airports around the Alps being particularly affected.
Despite the unpredictability of turbulence, he suggested that passengers could still do certain things to mitigate their discomfort, reports the Mirror.
“If you want to avoid the turbulence on board, sit as close to the front as possible. Due to the centre of mass, the further back on the aircraft you sit, the more the movement you will feel bouncing around,” Chris advised.
Turbulence is an unpredictable movement of air or fluid and can vary in size. For planes, turbulence can cause the flight to be bumpy, but it rarely poses a safety risk.
Modern aircraft are designed to withstand significant turbulence, and pilots will receive warnings about severe turbulence through weather radar reports from other pilots.
Pilots will mitigate turbulence by altering altitude or route based on forecasts and real-time data.
In May of this year, a severe turbulence incident on Singapore Airlines flight 321 from London to Singapore resulted in the death of a 73-year-old British man and injuries to over 100 passengers and crew.
The incident occurred when flying over Myanmar, whilst a meal service was underway – unsecured items struck both passengers and crew members. The flight then made an emergency landing in Bangkok.
Singapore Airlines has since offered compensation to the victims and also pledged to improve the safety procedures on flights during adverse weather conditions.