What to expect in turbulence: a step-by-step breakdown

In brief

• Pilots will follow a set procedure to keep you safe and the plane flying smoothly during turbulence
• Understanding what pilots do during turbulence can give you confidence
• There are practical things you can do to stay calm during turbulence

Learn how to stay calm during turbulence

Turbulence can be alarming, with the bumps, drops and rattles feeling unpredictable and even scary. While turbulence is uncomfortable, it is almost never unsafe. Understanding what turbulence is and how pilots deal with it can help give you more confidence in the skies.

Here’s what to expect during turbulence, and why you don’t need to worry. Your pilot, cabin crew, and a huge support team on the ground are working to ensure you get to your destination as safely and smoothly as possible.

Turbulence levels explained

Before we break turbulence down into the stages you might feel in flight, let’s look briefly at the different levels of turbulence and what they mean. 

• Light turbulence feels like a few gentle bumps, similar to driving over a rough road. Drinks may wobble a little bit, but it’s no more than a nudge to the plane.
• Moderate turbulence is more noticeable. You’ll feel definite jolts and maybe see the cabin crew pause service and strap themselves in. Seatbelt signs will definitely be on. If you were to try it, walking would be a challenge, but the aircraft remains in full control.
• Severe turbulence is rare, and it feels dramatic. There are strong jolts and sudden altitude changes. It’s manageable and well-within safety margins. Aircraft are built to withstand forces far beyond this. Inside the cabin, you can be confident that pilots and crew are trained to handle it.

You can learn more about what turbulence is, the different types of turbulence, and why it’s nothing to worry about in our detailed guides.

These ratings are used by pilots to classify turbulence and communicate it to other pilots and flight planners through pilot reports, or PIREPs for short.

How do pilots feel about turbulence? Pilots find that turbulence is uncomfortable, but it’s rarely scary to them. 

Here’s the turbulence experience from your seat explained.

1. The first bumps: light turbulence begins

At some point during cruise you might feel the aircraft tremble or dip slightly. This is usually light turbulence, that is typically caused by small changes in wind speed or direction.

From your seat, light turbulence feels like a car rolling over a few bumps in the road. Many passengers won’t even register the movement. 

If it’s light/medium turbulence, drinks may wobble on tray tables and you may hear some noises in the cabin, often caused by overhead lockers reacting to luggage moving around.

If the pilot decides it’s appropriate, the seatbelt sign may switch on.

2. The captain’s announcement: reassurance in real time

Most flights will experience light turbulence and it’s often intermittent. When turbulence is expected to continue, the captain or first officer may make an announcement. They’ll explain what’s happening, what may be causing the turbulence (shifting winds, weather conditions, or topographical features, like mountains), and how long it might last.

Hearing directly from the cockpit is a good reminder that turbulence is always being monitored and managed.

3. Seatbelt signs and cabin crew response

Once the seatbelt sign has been switched on, cabin crew will check passengers are secured and may pause service. If the turbulence warrants it, they may return to their jumpseats and strap themselves in.

You shouldn’t interpret this as a sign of danger, it’s a precaution. Most turbulence-related injuries come from passengers or crew not being belted in. By following the instructions, they’re keeping everyone safe.

4. Moderate turbulence: bumps and jolts

If turbulence intensifies, you’ll likely feel more distinct bumps and perhaps a rolling or dipping sensation. The overhead bins may rattle, making more noise. You may notice that loose items on trays will move about.

Moderate turbulence can feel strange and unsettling, but the aircraft is never struggling. What you’re sensing is the plane riding through uneven air, a bit like a boat moving up and down through the waves.

5. The aircraft adjusts

During stronger turbulence, you may hear changes in engine pitch or feel the aircraft change altitude. The pilots may request to fly at a different altitude, which you may feel in the cabin as the plane ascends or descends. The pilots will be working with air traffic control to find a smoother flight level. Sometimes, this isn’t possible, and pilots simply have to fly through turbulence.

Any adjustments to course or altitude are deliberate and controlled. Pilots constantly receive weather reports from aircraft ahead (through PIREPS) and can request changes to keep the flight comfortable. (Pilots prefer smooth air as well.)

6. The return to calm

In most cases, turbulence passes within minutes. The ride inside the plane smooths out, cabin crew can resume service, and the seatbelt sign is switched off. 

From your seat, you’ll notice a wave of relief as things return to normal. The reality is turbulence is a routine, normal, and expected part of flying. At no point were you likely to have been in any danger and the plane – and its pilots – were doing what they do best, getting you to your destination as soon as possible.

How to stay confident and calm during turbulence

Turbulence may feel scary, but it doesn’t have to dominate your flight. With preparation and perspective, you can ride it out calmly.

• Reframe it. Don’t think of turbulence as scary. Instead, think of turbulence as potholes in the sky. They’re uncomfortable but not dangerous. 
• Compare to the car: Most of us will arrive at an airport in the car. It’s likely your journey was much more turbulent than the plane. Consider why you’re happy driving but not flying.
• Always wear your seatbelt. Even if the sign is off, keeping your belt lightly fastened keeps you safe in your seat. Unexpected turbulence is rare, but it can strike.
• Use breathing techniques. Slow, steady breathing grounds your body when anxiety spikes with each bump.
• Trust the professionals. Pilots navigate turbulence daily and they’re not scared or worried by it. They’ve got technology, years of training, and experience on their side.
• Stay distracted. Try not to enter your own disaster movie. Music, reading, or focusing on an in-flight film helps your brain tune out the bumps.

Don’t fight the bumps, feel them

We know that turbulence is one of the most feared parts of flying, but it is not one of the most dangerous. Fear can come from a lack of understanding.

By understanding the stages of turbulence, from the first bumps to the return to level flight, you can fight back. Try not to brace against the turbulence. Don’t fight the bumps, try to feel them – it’s never as bad as you think.

For more support, visit the Help Desk and download our Calm Flight Toolkit.

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