Turbulence is Getting Worse on Flights — but One Pilot Says Mandatory Seat Belts Won’t Help Keep People Safe

Turbulence has become more frequent. It’s a trend American Airlines Captain Dennis Tajer has experienced firsthand.

For the safety of his passengers, Tajer, a pilot for over 30 years, said it’s vital that they wear seat belts at all times while seated, even if it’s not mandated by law. . .

According to a 2023 study by researchers at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom, clear-air turbulence has increased in regions around the world.

Over the North Atlantic, which is one of the busiest flight routes, the total annual duration of severe turbulence increased by 55% between 1979 and 2020.

Moderate turbulence increased by 37%, and light turbulence increased by 17%. All the aforementioned increases were consistent with the effects of climate change, according to the study, which was published in Geophysical Research Letters. (Read more from “Turbulence is Getting Worse on Flights — but One Pilot Says Mandatory Seat Belts Won’t Help Keep People Safe” HERE)

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