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Qantas QF12 flies the mountain-wave sensitive route from Los Angeles to Sydney. Conditions change hour to hour — view the live forecast for your departure date.
View live forecastThis is a short or low-latitude sector, so clear-air turbulence from upper-level jets is rare. The route crosses or passes near the Rocky Mountains, which can generate mountain-wave turbulence downwind when upper-level winds are strong. At tropical latitudes, convective turbulence from thunderstorms is the main driver — pilots generally route around storm cells, but afternoon/evening flights encounter more build-up than morning departures.
Calmest season: Dry season. Transpacific routes are most turbulent in winter months when the polar jet is strong and positioned further south. Wind flowing over Rocky Mountains can generate mountain-wave turbulence that extends hundreds of kilometres downwind — most pronounced in winter when upper-level winds are strongest. Tropical routes see more convective (thunderstorm-driven) turbulence during regional wet seasons and monsoon cycles, typically worst in the afternoon and evening.
Full LAX to SYD route guideQantas QF12 operates between LAX and SYD. Whether it’s bumpy depends on the day’s weather — Turbcast pulls live NOAA aviation-grade data so you can check the actual forecast for your departure date rather than relying on averages.
QF12 is typically operated by the A380. Aircraft swaps happen — confirm with your booking before flying.
Approximately 14h 31m direct, covering 12,061 km at a typical cruise of FL410.
Historically calmest during Dry season. Forecast accuracy improves as you get closer to departure — within 48 hours the NOAA WAFS model is at peak skill.