'Just enter the flight number': Eastar Jet rolls out AI turbulence prediction system

Eastar Jet is introducing an in-house AI-powered system to get ahead of sudden turbulence during flights. By entering a flight number, crew members can see which sections of the route carry turbulence risk, when it is expected to occur and how severe it may be — allowing cabin crew to suspend service or instruct passengers to fasten their seat belts before the shaking begins.

The airline announced Monday that it has developed and deployed an AI-based turbulence prediction system called Turbulence Map.

Turbulence Map filters turbulence data by individual flight and presents it in a single, easy-to-read view for crew members. Previously, crew had to manually search through broad meteorological data from external weather systems to find information relevant to their specific route.

Timing was another obstacle: existing systems displayed data in Coordinated Universal Time, requiring Korean crew members to perform separate time conversions to match the information against their actual flight schedules. With multiple data sources to cross-reference, pinpointing when and where turbulence might occur within a short window was difficult.

The new system simplifies the process. When a crew member enters a flight number, it displays sections along the planned route where turbulence is likely, with times shown in Korean Standard Time alongside the expected onset and intensity.

For cabin operations, the biggest change is the ability to anticipate turbulence in advance. Before entering a high-risk zone, crew can halt meal and beverage service and stow carts and other cabin equipment. They can also guide passengers to buckle up ahead of time and take their own seats, moving safety preparations earlier in the sequence.

The aviation industry has been stepping up its response to turbulence as injury incidents have mounted. On Tuesday (local time), an Air India flight from Phuket, Thailand, to New Delhi encountered turbulence mid-flight, injuring 17 people — 13 passengers and four crew members.

Airlines are also increasingly sharing real-time turbulence data collected during actual flights. The International Air Transport Association operates Turbulence Aware, a platform that shares turbulence data gathered from aircraft in near real time. Aeromexico joined the program in June, adding more than 3,200 daily flights across Latin America to the data pool.

Eastar Jet plans to continuously refine the system's prediction and information capabilities by analyzing data accumulated through Turbulence Map's operation.

"Through this system, crew members can check turbulence information more quickly, respond proactively and strengthen flight safety," an Eastar Jet official said. "We will continue to raise our safety standards by actively leveraging AI and other digital technologies."