Kunming

Kunming Changshui International Airport

ZPPP

484

Flights/Day

05:52

Local Time

Shanghai

Timezone

6,903ft

Elevation

Current Weather

Current Conditions

ZPPP

VFR

18°C

Mostly Cloudy • 8kt • 1015.00"

Observed: 20:00 UTC

VFR — Visual Flight Rules: Clear conditions, no weather delays expected.

Cloud Forecast

12k 8k 4k 0

02:00

3.3k

Few (1-2 oktas) Scattered (3-4) Broken (5-7) Overcast (8) | CLR = Clear 25k = 25,000 ft ceiling

FM = From (abrupt change) BECMG = Becoming (gradual) TEMPO = Temporary PROB = Probability %

TAF valid until 08:00 local time

About Kunming Changshui International Airport

Kunming's high plateau location (6,200 ft) provides generally smooth conditions. The 'Spring City' enjoys mild weather year-round.

Is Kunming Airport turbulent?

Kunming Changshui sits at 2,100m (6,900 feet) on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, making it one of China's highest major airports. The elevation affects aircraft performance and can create thermal turbulence. Routes from Kunming to Tibetan destinations like Lhasa cross some of the world's most turbulent airspace over the Himalayan plateau.

Airport elevation: 2,100m (6,900 feet) above sea level
Kunming-Lhasa is one of the world's bumpiest routes
Known as the 'Spring City' for its mild year-round climate

Why are flights to Tibet from Kunming bumpy?

The flight path crosses the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau where terrain rises dramatically. Unpredictable mountain weather, severe clear-air turbulence, and rapidly shifting conditions make this one of the most challenging domestic routes in the world. The thin air at cruising altitude over the plateau adds to the challenges.

When is the smoothest time to fly from Kunming?

Kunming's mild 'eternal spring' climate means local conditions are relatively consistent year-round. For flights to Tibet, winter offers more stable air but worse weather at destination. Morning flights generally avoid afternoon thermal turbulence. The monsoon season (June-September) brings more thunderstorm activity.

Is turbulence at Kunming dangerous?

No. Modern aircraft are designed to withstand forces far stronger than turbulence. While bumps can feel uncomfortable, they do not pose a safety risk. Pilots actively avoid rough air whenever possible. Learn more about turbulence

Best seats to reduce turbulence when flying from Kunming?

Seats near the wings feel the least movement because they are closest to the aircraft's center of gravity. Seats at the back of the aircraft feel turbulence more strongly. Learn more about seat selection

Upcoming Flights (next 2 hours) 61

Flight	Destination	Departure	Aircraft	Forecast
MU5911 China Eastern Airlines	JHG	06:20 Local	--	Forecast
MU5969 China Eastern Airlines	LUM	06:30 Local	--	Forecast
DR6563 Ruili Airlines	ZUH	06:35 Local	--	Forecast
MU5989 China Eastern Airlines	BSD	06:35 Local	--	Forecast
8L9561 Lucky Air	KOW	06:35 Local	boeing 737-8al	Forecast
8L9895 Lucky Air +1 codeshare DR	LHW	06:35 Local	boeing 737-8al	Forecast
MU5797 China Eastern Airlines	ZHA	06:40 Local	--	Forecast
8L9831 Lucky Air	DIG	06:40 Local	--	Forecast
8L9959 Lucky Air	AQG	06:40 Local	--	Forecast
3U8259 Sichuan Airlines	XMN	06:40 Local	--	Forecast
8L9751 Lucky Air +2 codeshares 8L	LXA	06:45 Local	boeing 737-74p	Forecast
MU9691 China Eastern Airlines	SQJ	06:45 Local	--	Forecast
KY8273 Kunming Airlines	HUZ	06:45 Local	--	Forecast
DR6543 Ruili Airlines	ENH	06:50 Local	--	Forecast
6E9632 Indigo	CCU	06:50 Local	--	Forecast
MU5729 China Eastern Airlines	YIH	06:50 Local	--	Forecast
MU5879 China Eastern Airlines	WNZ	06:55 Local	--	Forecast
MU5919 China Eastern Airlines	LJG	06:55 Local	--	Forecast
SC4830 Shandong Airlines	TAO	06:55 Local	--	Forecast
DR6549 Ruili Airlines	JJN	06:55 Local	--	Forecast
3U8223 Sichuan Airlines	LYG	06:55 Local	--	Forecast
3U8209 Sichuan Airlines	XNN	06:55 Local	--	Forecast
MU5694 China Eastern Airlines +1 codeshare DR	HGH	06:55 Local	airbus a320-251n	Forecast
MU5815 China Eastern Airlines	PVG	06:55 Local	--	Forecast
8L9707 Lucky Air	SWA	07:00 Local	--	Forecast
KY8277 Kunming Airlines	SZX	07:00 Local	--	Forecast
CA4171 Air China	PEK	07:00 Local	airbus a320-251n	Forecast
A67129 Air Travel	KHN	07:00 Local	airbus a320-214	Forecast
A67103 Air Travel +1 codeshare KY	CSX	07:00 Local	airbus a320-251n	Forecast
8L9971 Lucky Air	HAK	07:00 Local	--	Forecast
DR6559 Ruili Airlines	NGB	07:05 Local	b738	Forecast
8L9839 Lucky Air	YNZ	07:05 Local	--	Forecast
DR6545 Ruili Airlines	TLQ	07:05 Local	--	Forecast
DR5011 Ruili Airlines	BAV	07:05 Local	--	Forecast
CA4061 Air China	SHE	07:05 Local	--	Forecast
MU2490 China Eastern Airlines +1 codeshare DR	WUH	07:10 Local	--	Forecast
ZH3223 Shenzhen Airlines	CZX	07:10 Local	boeing 737-8ly	Forecast
8L9545 Lucky Air	KOW	07:10 Local	boeing 737-8al	Forecast
8L9731 Lucky Air	LZO	07:10 Local	--	Forecast
8L9727 Lucky Air	MIG	07:15 Local	--	Forecast
MU5727 China Eastern Airlines +1 codeshare DR	XIY	07:20 Local	--	Forecast
8L9859 Lucky Air	HFE	07:20 Local	--	Forecast
MU5887 China Eastern Airlines +1 codeshare SC	TNA	07:20 Local	--	Forecast
8L9837 Lucky Air	YIC	07:20 Local	--	Forecast
MU5081 China Eastern Airlines	SIN	07:30 Local	--	Forecast
CZ3420 China Southern Airlines	CAN	07:30 Local	--	Forecast
8L9965 Lucky Air	SYX	07:30 Local	--	Forecast
GJ8882 Loong Air	HGH	07:30 Local	airbus a320-214	Forecast
MU5819 China Eastern Airlines	PVG	07:30 Local	--	Forecast
KY3215 Kunming Airlines	DYG	07:30 Local	--	Forecast
8L9977 Lucky Air	HET	07:35 Local	--	Forecast
3U8237 Sichuan Airlines	CGO	07:35 Local	--	Forecast
MU9663 China Eastern Airlines	KHN	07:35 Local	--	Forecast
8L9949 Lucky Air	TCZ	07:40 Local	boeing 737-74p	Forecast
8L9875 Lucky Air +1 codeshare DR	TYN	07:40 Local	--	Forecast
3U6620 Sichuan Airlines	TFU	07:45 Local	--	Forecast
MU9673 China Eastern Airlines	YIW	07:45 Local	--	Forecast
DR6505 Ruili Airlines	LUM	07:45 Local	--	Forecast
3U8251 Sichuan Airlines	NGB	07:50 Local	--	Forecast
MU9603 China Eastern Airlines	VTE	07:50 Local	--	Forecast
8L9883 Lucky Air	ZUH	07:50 Local	--	Forecast