Is turbulence a cause for concern? Here's what the experts advise.

Seven individuals were hospitalized after severe turbulence led a plane bound for Frankfurt to make an emergency landing near Washington, D.C., last night.

Lufthansa Flight 469 departed from Austin without issue, and flight attendants were serving meals when the aircraft hit turbulent air.

Social media videos captured meal trays and food scattered across the cabin floor.

Passenger Jazz Kantipudi recounted to NBC4 Washington that he saw a flight attendant being thrown against the ceiling of the aircraft. "He was standing up serving drinks and couldn’t brace himself," Kantipudi explained. "During one of the drops, he actually hit the ceiling and fell back down completely horizontal."

"Lufthansa Flight 469 was redirected to Dulles International Airport and landed safely at around 9:10 p.m. after the crew reported experiencing severe turbulence at an altitude of 37,000 feet over Tennessee," stated the Federal Aviation Administration.

The FAA is currently conducting an investigation.

While severe turbulence resulting in injuries is uncommon, this incident highlights the importance of heeding flight attendants' and pilots' requests to keep seat belts fastened during flights. It may also lead travelers to reconsider their concerns about turbulence, as the bumps and jolts can unsettle even the most experienced flyers.

On a red-eye flight with American Airlines from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Miami International Airport (MIA), I felt a wave of panic as the turbulence rocked the plane for the initial three hours of the journey.

Before my departure, I was aware of storms affecting much of the southern U.S. that were causing tornadoes in Texas. So, when the flight quickly became turbulent, I instantly assumed it was due to the weather. (I also noticed that the pilot was flying low enough for me to see the ground during the first few hours of the flight.)

The unsettling experience made me ponder more about turbulence and how passengers can distinguish between what’s typical and what might warrant concern. To gain insight, I reached out to several aviation experts. Here’s what they shared about turbulence during flights.

What exactly is turbulence?

Justin Franco, a former spokesperson for American Airlines and a self-described "weather enthusiast," explains that there are two main types of turbulence: clear-air turbulence and convective turbulence.

"Clear-air turbulence occurs due to the sudden development of cumulus clouds, jet streams, and other atmospheric phenomena," Franco informed TPG. "On the other hand, convective turbulence arises from stormy weather at the surface or in the atmosphere."

"Convective turbulence can be significantly more intense than clear-air turbulence," Franco noted. "In fact, the majority of severe turbulence incidents occur during storms or extreme weather. The wind flow isn't as smooth as that around an airplane wing, resulting in waves that cause fluctuations in air pressure, leading to sudden movements of the aircraft."

Is turbulence something to worry about?

I’ll admit, my heart races every time I feel a bump during a flight. However, Capt. Laura Einsetler, an aviation blogger and commercial pilot with over 30 years of experience, assured me that the sensations I feel are completely normal.

"Turbulence shouldn’t be a cause for concern since aircraft are engineered to endure severe turbulence for extended periods," Einsetler explained. "The wings are designed to flex, making them dynamic structures, much like buildings that sway during earthquakes to absorb forces."

Patrick Smith, a pilot and author of the Ask the Pilot blog, concurred.

"In practical terms, a plane cannot be flipped upside down, sent into a tailspin, or otherwise hurled from the sky by even the strongest gusts or air pockets. While conditions may be annoying and uncomfortable, the aircraft is not going to crash," Smith stated. "Turbulence is an irritating nuisance for everyone, including the crew, but it's also, for lack of a better term, quite normal."

How do pilots manage turbulence?

Even though turbulence is common, pilots always strive to minimize it when they can.

"We collaborate with our airline’s weather experts and dispatch, in addition to utilizing software and Doppler radar that indicate turbulent areas," Einsetler explained. "We plan to either navigate around these areas or adjust our altitude to find smoother air."

To help calm passengers and ensure safety, pilots typically inform them of any anticipated bumps during the flight.

"[Ideally], pilots should make public announcements every 15 to 20 minutes as they approach turbulent areas and also during those moments," Einsetler noted. "It's crucial that once the seat belt announcement is made and the seat belt lights are illuminated, everyone remains seated with their belts fastened and their belongings secured."

Even if pilots don’t announce turbulence—like what happened on my overnight flight—there’s generally no need for alarm.

"When it comes to updating passengers about turbulence, I personally prefer the captain to focus on addressing the issue at hand," Franco remarked. "However, if you ever notice a flight attendant racing down the aisle and swiftly returning the beverage cart, it usually means you should stay seated."

How can you steer clear of turbulence while flying?

If you're still anxious about turbulence, Einsetler mentioned a few strategies passengers can use to reduce the likelihood of encountering it during flights:

• Always opt for the earliest morning flights, as the air tends to be smoother at that time of day.
• Choose the largest aircraft available to experience fewer bumps during your flight.
• When possible, schedule your trips in the fall or spring, as the weather conditions are typically more stable.
• If traveling in winter, consider booking flights with southern routes to steer clear of ice and snowstorms. For summer journeys, select flights with northern routes to minimize the chances of afternoon thunderstorms.
• Monitor the Weather Channel or the MyRadar app a day or two prior to your flight to anticipate any weather-related issues at your departure or arrival cities, as well as along your route.

In summary

Experiencing turbulence during a flight is quite common. Although it can be disconcerting at the moment, there's no reason to panic about those bumps in the air.

Take a deep breath and remind yourself that what you're feeling is entirely normal. Chances are, the temporary discomfort will pass before you know it.