Turbulence over the Bay of Bengal

[Wan1dap]

OK well looking forward to SQ321 in a few weeks then...

[jammed]

SQ322 last night (dep SIN 2330pm) also encountered heavy turbulence over Bengal en route to LHR

[LampStack]

Due to the abundance of PIREPs these days, you might wonder why they don't re-route around the most severe turbulence.

[flyguy]

Almost all Pilots will do their best to avoid and deviate around thunderstorns; but there's limitations on ATC clearances and also on fuel status - as they might have to make a long deviation which can add another hour or more to the flights and depending on the fuel status and how far the flight is going; it may not be possible to make such a big detour.

[CarbonMan]

Hopefully there will be some respite when the Indian South-west monsoon ends in late Sep. Frankly, I've always found that some turbulence gives a rather smooth flight something to remember by. Of course, I'm speaking from the perspective of a seated pax and belted up.

[9V-SIA]

I took SQ 322 on Monday night and we were warned at the onset of 3 to 4 hours of high clouds and bumpy weather ahead, keep your seat belts fastened at all times when seated etc etc

So it was particularly upsetting that they repeated these announcements throughout that period. Woke me up from my slumber, ear plugs didn't help.

To be fair, Kevin Khoo had to sit down at one point.

But QF flight from SIN that landed before us reported no turbulence on their flight. Sounded like they avoided Bay of Bengal

[cmy]

IMHO, in premium cabins, the best way to counter these bumpy rides is to lie flat in bed mode and belted up of course. And after all the alcohol intake, I barely remember how many instances of turbulence there were when we land.

[FlyingDobber]

The AC is heavy hence flying lower than "normal" until it burns off enough fuel for the first step climb. I have been through on FL240 and that was interesting...everything everywhere...

A few years ago MH used to fly into LHR on fumes and thus had minimal fuel for weather diversions. They got into trouble with ATC for constantly requesting a priority landing due to fuel. One way to avoid the hold over London

In my experience SQ tends to avoid most to the turbulence...but its always fun when it happens.

[SMU]

I recently took my first trip to SE Asia from London and worried about turbulence, had foolishly googled and ultimately found this thread. I have to say that I was very worried as a result of what I had read.
Everyone's experience is going to be different. All I can say is that going across on an overnight flight three weeks ago, the seatbelt sign went on for about 10 minutes max with only a short while to go (I think over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to which others have referred). The breakfast service continued throughout, although for a couple of minutes (max) the crew were told to return to their seats. Even then, it was only a little bumpy.
Coming back on a daytime flight last weekend, it was virtually a mirror image. Very smooth take off and then a short while in, the seatbelt signs went back on and there were a few bumps, enough to make the water in my glass rock a bit. Again, it lasted no longer than five or so minutes: not even long enough to drink half the glass.
I am a very nervous flier, but it is fair to say that I have experienced far bumpier weather on the approach into Edinburgh Airport.
It is worth adding that for various reasons, my partner flew out separately from me, leaving and a returning about a day either way of my flights. I oniy have his description, but he too is quite a nervous flyer but said they were very smooth crossings, with the seatbelt sign going on during the daytime journey back for no more than a few minutes, with meal service continuing despite a few bumps which he said were obviously noticed by everyone but caused no alarm. I get the imoression that on the return flight this was more the Indian side of the Bay, rather than where I had experienced it.
None of us can relay anything other than anecdotes and I accept that these are just 4 flights over about a three week period described by 2 people. I would not want any other nervous flyer to google and come across this thread however and form the view that the Bay of Bengal is always very turbulent. Our four experiences indicate that it is not.

[tinnat]

Any information on which parts of the Bay of Bengal are particularly turbulent - North or SOuth? Will be flying from Barcelona early next week, and it looks like the flight path is right over Chennai. I'm hoping minimum moderate turbulence.

[CarbonMan]

Any information on which parts of the Bay of Bengal are particularly turbulent - North or SOuth? Will be flying from Barcelona early next week, and it looks like the flight path is right over Chennai. I'm hoping minimum moderate turbulence.

Tinnat, it is unpredictable. As you know weather is not a stagnant phenomenon. The pilots will have the latest weather conditions as they fly into the area. If they feel it is turbulent enough they will most certainly take precautionary measures, like a minor diversion. For us passengers, it is best to be belted up whenever seated. In all my years of flying, I've not experienced any major turbulence, lots of shaking and rattling but nothing flying, though sometimes I hope there would be, so that I can tell both my boss and wife how I risk life and limb for the family.

Here's one of my favourite websites to view macro weather through a pictorial view. I've set it to 250hPa which is about 35,000ft. Today, it looks like a gentle breeze over over the Bay of Bengal.

http://earth.nullschool.net/#current...=86.899,17.644

Enjoy your flight!

[SQflyergirl]

http://earth.nullschool.net/#current...=86.899,17.644

Enjoy your flight!

Great recommendation! even goes all the way to FL1000! (10 hpa roughly)

i use https://www.windyty.com which is easier to understand for a numbskull like me though. !

[brissypete]

Last June I flew to Europe for the first time since 2008 and the Bay was quite well behaved. Coming back was Upper Deck Y on A380 and from memory turbulence didn't start till about half way across the bay. I'm not good with turbulence and I didn't find it that bad.

Overall the whole trip was really good in the turbulence department which was great considering my last Europe trip (albeit with MH) had a fair bit of turbulence.