Whether you’re a nervous traveller or an experienced jet-setter, encountering turbulence at roughly 40,000ft can feel absolutely terrifying.

Numerous incidents can occur aboard an aircraft during turbulent conditions, yet pilots have consistently maintained there’s no cause for concern.

You’re likely familiar with how a cabin appears when hitting rough air, but have you ever wondered what pilots observe from their cockpit?

One pilot posted footage demonstrating the stark contrast between these two aircraft locations, beginning with passengers experiencing the jolting in their seats while cabin crew can scarcely discern anything beyond their forward windows.

In an Instagram clip that garnered numerous likes and responses, he captioned: “Turbulence feels scary, but it’s not dangerous – here’s the truth.

“If bumps make your stomach drop or your mind jump to the worst-case scenario, remember this: turbulence is normal, expected, and fully safe.

“The aircraft is built to handle far stronger forces than anything you feel inside the cabin. Understanding this can shift your fear into calm.”

The footage displays what travellers witness during turbulence versus what the flight crew observe. It commences with the aircraft being affected by rough conditions before switching to reveal the pilot’s perspective.

Meanwhile, the pilot further explained: “What you see from your seat can feel intense, but turbulence does not put the airplane in danger. These aircrafts are built to handle forces far stronger than anything you feel back there.

“For us pilots, turbulence is just bumps on a road. It’s uncomfortable, yes, but completely safe. The instruments stay steady, the control never goes away, and the structure is never in danger. Pilots see turbulence every day, it’s not an emergency, it’s part of the journey.

“The real danger is not wearing your seatbelt, something shifts suddenly, the only thing that can fly is us. To enjoy your next flight fully, check my bio.”

What causes turbulence to occur?

It occurs when chaotic, erratic air movements disturb smooth airflow, frequently caused by velocity and directional shifts, barriers such as mountain ranges or strong air currents like the jet stream.

This subsequently generates vortices that shake aircraft and produces jolts in fluids similar to rivers or smoke.

Fundamentally, it’s when a fluid’s surplus energy surpasses its viscosity, resulting in swirling eddies.

While turbulence may feel frightening, it’s routine and a standard aspect of aviation that aircraft are designed to withstand.

Serious incidents where it leads to a crash remain exceptionally uncommon, but it’s always crucial to keep seatbelts secured and find distractions to help manage your nerves.