turbulent flight

Meaning

A turbulent flight is a flight that experiences sudden, bumpy, or violent movements caused by changes in air currents. It is a common travel colocation used to describe rough air conditions during a journey. The term is neutral and widely used by both passengers and airline crew.

Examples

• We had an incredibly turbulent flight over the Rocky Mountains yesterday.

  We had an incredibly turbulent flight over the Rocky Mountains yesterday.

• The captain warned us to keep our seatbelts fastened due to a turbulent flight ahead.

  The captain warned us to keep our seatbelts fastened due to a turbulent flight ahead.

• Despite the turbulent flight, the pilot managed to land the plane safely and on time.

  Despite the turbulent flight, the pilot managed to land the plane safely and on time.

• I always get anxious during a turbulent flight, even though I know it's safe.

  I always get anxious during a turbulent flight, even though I know it's safe.

• The cabin crew had to suspend the food service because of the turbulent flight.

  The cabin crew had to suspend the food service because of the turbulent flight.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We had a very turbulence flight.

  ✓ We had a very turbulent flight.

  'Turbulence' is a noun. To modify the noun 'flight,' you must use the adjective form 'turbulent.'

• ✗ The plane was so storming and shaking.

  ✓ It was a very turbulent flight.

  While descriptive, 'storming plane' is not a natural English collocation. 'Turbulent flight' is the standard way to describe this experience.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The flight attendants had to sit down because it was such a ___.

  💡 A flight with a lot of shaking and rough air.

  Show answer

  turbulent flight

• I couldn't sleep at all during that ___ from London to New York.

  💡 A bumpy plane journey.

  Show answer

  turbulent flight