How turbulent is SCL-EZE typically?

Light except over the Andes crossing, where mountain-wave chop is common but short.

What is the best altitude to avoid turbulence on SCL-EZE?

Above FL380 the wave amplitude drops off. Crossings at lower levels are consistently rougher.

When is the best time of year to fly SCL-EZE?

The southern-hemisphere summer, December to February, when westerlies over the Andes are weaker.

What causes the turbulence on this route?

Mountain waves generated by strong westerly flow over the Andes ridge.

Turbulence forecast SCL → EZE. Santiago to Buenos Aires Ezeiza. SkyBriefing.

Santiago to Buenos Aires: what the SCL to EZE corridor looks like

Departure: Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport, Santiago, Chile
Arrival: Ministro Pistarini International Airport, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Great-circle distance: 1,139 km (615 nm)
Typical airborne time: 1h 49m
Usual cruise levels: FL280 to FL360
Initial track: eastbound

Route overview

Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport (SCL) in Santiago, Chile, to Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is a great-circle distance of 1,139 km, about 615 nautical miles. At typical jet cruise speeds, and with an allowance for climb, descent and approach, that works out to roughly 1h 49m of airborne time. The great-circle track leaves Santiago eastbound and spends most of the flight in subtropical air.

Mountain wave over the Andes

The Andes are one of the most reliable mountain wave generators in the world, and this track crosses them. The wave section is short and geographically fixed, which makes it easy to brief in advance. Cruise on either side of the ridge is generally smooth.

Cruise altitudes on this sector

Short sectors like this one spend a large share of the flight climbing and descending, so cruise is brief and usually sits in the FL280 to FL360 band. Choice of level matters because turbulence is layered: a change of two or three thousand feet often puts the aircraft into calmer air, and that is one of the first adjustments a crew will request.

Seasonal pattern

The southern hemisphere winter, roughly June to September, brings the strongest westerly flow over the Andes. December to February crossings are usually the gentler ones.

Flying this route with less worry

Turbulence on this corridor is a comfort issue rather than a safety one. Airliners are certified to handle loads well beyond anything the atmosphere produces here, crews are trained for it, and the seat belt sign is the tool that keeps the cabin settled. What this page adds is knowing in advance: the map and Calmness Score above use current WAFS forecast data for SCL to EZE, so you can see what to expect before you board.