What Is Turbulence And Should We Be Scared?

AlArabiya English

✈ You’re not imagining it, turbulence is on the rise. Here’s what really causes it and why  you might want to buckle up on your next flight even if the seat-belt sign is off. 💺

Transcript

00:00What is turbulence and should we be scared?

00:02Imagine you're cruising at 35,000 feet, then suddenly the entire cabin shakes.

00:07What just happened?

00:08Let's take a look.

00:14That's turbulence and it might be getting worse.

00:16A Delta flight headed to Amsterdam had to divert after hitting severe turbulence recently

00:20where 25 people were hospitalized.

00:23And that's just one of several incidents this year.

00:26From Singapore to the U.S. and Europe, turbulence seems to be injuring more travelers midair.

00:31So what causes it?

00:32You might think storms or bad weather.

00:34But the real threat?

00:36Clear air turbulence.

00:37It happens in calm skies near what's called jet streams when powerful air currents collide

00:42unexpectedly.

00:43Pilots do their best by using radar, reports from other aircraft, and wind shear data to

00:48steer clear.

00:49But clear air turbulence is nearly invisible, which raises a question, has turbulence ever

00:54caused a plane to crash?

00:56The short answer is no.

00:57But should we be scared?

00:59Modern commercial jets are built to endure even the roughest air.

01:02The real risk?

01:03Injuries to passengers and crew who aren't buckled in.

01:07And scientists warn it could get worse.

01:09Studies show turbulence over the North Atlantic has jumped 55% since 1979 and it could double or

01:16triple as the climate continues to warm.

01:18So what can you do?

01:20Modern planes can handle the turbulence, but humans inside the cabins can get hurt if not

01:25taking precautions.

01:26And this is why you're always asked to keep your seatbelts fastened when you're seated,

01:30even if the seatbelt sign is off.

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