Understand your flight

What do pilots do during turbulence?

Long before the seat belt sign comes on, pilots and dispatchers are planning around bumps. When turbulence arrives, there's a practised routine: slow to the right speed, look for smoother air, tell the cabin, and pass reports to the flights behind.

4 official sources, listed at the end Checked October 18, 2026
Photo: Jon Flobrant jonflobrant, CC0
In this article · 6 sections
  1. Before you even board
  2. Asking about "the ride"
  3. When it gets bumpy
  4. Telling the cabin
  5. The part that's up to you
  6. Keep reading

Before you even board

Turbulence planning starts on the ground. FAA guidance for airlines says pre-flight weather briefings must include forecasts of turbulence and pilot reports of turbulence, and that dispatchers can flag expected bumps on the flight release and discuss routes and altitudes with the crew before departure.1 The same guidance urges airlines to make avoiding turbulence their first line of defence, with procedures to reroute around forecast and reported bumps.1

Asking about "the ride"

In flight, pilots keep gathering information. The FAA's guidance suggests pilots ask air traffic control about "the rides" each time they check in with a new controller, query other aircraft, and tell ATC and their own airline when they meet turbulence that wasn't forecast.1 Air traffic facilities are themselves required to ask pilots for reports when turbulence of moderate degree or greater is reported or forecast.2 FAA guidance gives standard definitions for light, moderate and severe turbulence so reports mean the same thing to everyone.1

When it gets bumpy

The FAA's guidance for airlines lists procedures known to be effective when crews are told of turbulent conditions, suggested as standard practice:1

  • Slow down to the manufacturer's recommended turbulence penetration speed.
  • Change altitude or route to get out of the bumps.
  • Before descent, seek another routing, or hold or divert if the severity calls for it.
  • Keep away from storms: avoid convective weather by at least 20 nautical miles at high altitude and 10 lower down.

Telling the cabin

Turning on the seat belt sign is at the pilot in command's discretion whenever they consider it necessary, and it's required for taxi, takeoff and landing.4 The FAA guidance tells crews not to rely on the sign alone and to inform passengers by announcement.1 It describes a set routine: for expected turbulence, the captain briefs the flight attendants on how strong and how long; with little warning, the sign goes on with an announcement for flight attendants to stow service items and take their seats; if turbulence is sudden, everyone sits down immediately and service carts are secured only if that doesn't delay anyone getting seated.1 When it's over, the captain announces that the crew can get back to work.1

If you hear "flight attendants, please take your seats", that's this routine, used to keep the crew safe. It isn't a sign of danger.

The part that's up to you

The FAA's advice to passengers is to keep the seat belt fastened whenever seated, listen to the crew and pay attention to the safety briefing, because unbelted passengers can be thrown from their seats in unexpected turbulence.3

Keep reading

Quick answers

What do pilots do when they hit turbulence?

Practices in FAA guidance for airlines include slowing to the manufacturer's recommended turbulence speed, asking for a different altitude or route, turning on the seat belt sign with an announcement, and reporting the bumps so other flights can avoid them.

Do pilots know turbulence is coming?

Often, yes. Pre-flight briefings include turbulence forecasts and reports from other pilots, and crews keep asking controllers and other aircraft about the ride. Some turbulence still arrives with little warning, which is why seat belts matter.

Why do pilots slow down in turbulence?

Airplane manufacturers publish a recommended turbulence penetration speed. FAA guidance lists slowing to that speed as one of the practices known to be effective when turbulent conditions are reported.

Are pilots worried during turbulence?

Turbulence is an ordinary part of flying, and crews have set procedures for it. Their main concern is keeping people seated and belted so nobody gets hurt.

Sources

(4)
  1. FAA Advisory Circular 120-88A, Preventing Injuries Caused by Turbulence (with Change 1)
  2. FAA Aeronautical Information Manual, 7-1-18 and 7-1-21 (pilot weather reports; turbulence reporting)
  3. FAA, "Turbulence: Staying Safe"
  4. 14 CFR § 121.317, Passenger information requirements (seat belt sign)

Facts last checked against these sources: October 18, 2026.