Is flying over Greenland always turbulent?
 

A friend flew from Reykjavik to DC, she said flying over greenland was some of the worst turbulence she has ever encountered. The pilot came on and said that when you fly over Greenland you never know what you will find. I thought alot of planes flew over Greenland. Any thoughts? I hate to fly and this could affect future plans.

Every time I go to/from London I fly over part of Greenland and I don't recall anything remarkable.

Ditto.

I enjoy flying over Greenland, it doesn't seem any more turbulent and on a clear day it is beautiful.

If she flew to Reykjavik she must have been flying a lot lower over Greenland than we do when we fly to/from Europe. Maybe that's why it was more turbulent. If you are planning a trip to Europe, I don't think that flying over Greenland will affect you.

I do remember some turbulence on an Icelandair flight but the view of Greenland was so worth it!

I fly to Europe every month and the route usually skirts the coast of Greenland. Most of the time it is sunny and it is a spectacular sight.

However, the bit as you fly over the coast of Newfoundland can be a bit hairy in winter :>)

I think P_M you may have answered the question. She did fly from Reykjavik so maybe that is why it was a lower flight! I thought most east coast flight flew over Greenland.

When I flew over Greenland in March, I had the worst turbulance I have ever had. However, coming back it was an uneventful smooth flight. One of many places I want to visit. Don't let turbulance affect your travel plans. A trip to Europe is definitely worth it.

Although I am a fearful flyer I do still fly. But when you are a fearful flyer you take every ridiculous thing into consideration!

Only the discount airlines fly over Greenland to reduce the air miles and save on fuel costs.

Degas, absolutely not true. I flew BA from London to Chicago in November (and on the way back) and we went over Greenland (FYI, it WAS turbulent). The price of my biz class ticket would certainly not fall into the discount category. Weather patterns, etc., dictate where the plane goes.

BTilke, Degas' tongue was in his cheek, as they say.

I fly once a week to Europe and during the winter months it is always VERY bumpy-probably because that is when my "crew rest" starts? My airline usually flys off the coast but during the summer months this year to Rome I saw some of the most majestic icebergs,land formations from the air.It was simply breathtaking! Don't let any turbulence keep you from going overseas-some of my worst turbulence has been in domestic flying. Just last week, I spent 12 minutes sitting on the floor in the back galley because the turbulence was so bad and I could not get up to get to my jumpseat and that was over the USA!!!Think positive!Focus on what you are going to see and do when you get there and the flight will be over before you know it.

dutyfree can I fly with you? My fear started with a short flight when we were close to an area of thunderstorm activity. Our plane was hit by lightning (which I have since heard was not dangerous) but when the lights go out on the plane it is frightening! I try to work around my fear, since I love to travel.

I have flown over Greenland twice. Once on Us Airways from Munich to Philadelphia and once on KLM from Amsterdam. Greenland is fascinating. If ever you could catch a glimpse of what North America looked like during the last Ice Age, Greenland gives you your best current analogue in this hemisphere.

I noticed no particular change in turbulence. Certainly there was not enough to be concerned about. So the airplane bounces a little bit. I have jounced worse on rough freeways in my car!

If you can fly over the ice fields, consider yourself to have had good fortune.

The comment about only cut rate airlines flying over Greenland is in error. It depends on the route assigned to the aircraft. Any flight coming from northern Europe is liable to be routed over Greenland. It depends on which pathways are clear. Those routes are controlled because at some points airplanes are off radar scopes. To ensure proper clearance between aircraft, altitudes and great circle routes are assigned to each aircraft.

I can't count the many times I have flown over Greenland, both in the service and flying commercial, both in propeller-driven aircraft and in jets. You can take it from my experience that Greenland's air is no more turbulent than most other spots on the globe -- and I've flown over them, too. If you want an almost-guaranteed turbulent experience, fly in and out of Denver. Air currents rushing down the eastern slope of the Rockies are very common, resulting in some of the most-frequent turbulence I can think of. Greenland was my post for almost nine months continuously. Shooting a blind approach at almost-completed Thule (above the Arctic Circle) after hours spent out over the Davis Strait (with ice building on our C-54) sticks in my mind -- since 1951. Fly and you will find turbulence -- and your aircraft was built to take it. That I can guarantee. If you want a really hairy experience, fly over any hot desert with the winds building -- clear to 30,000 ft.