high fuel prices = more turbulence?

[skadanks]

When fuel was cheap, it probably wasn't a big deal for a pilot to go off route to avoid storms or fly a fully loaded plane at a higher altitude. But what I wonder now with fuel costs being such a big factor will pilots be more likely to just punch right through a storm rather than spend extra fuel avoiding it?

[Geo]

Punching through a storm would be just as hazardous for the structure of an aircraft irregardless of fuel prices. Therefore, rather than compromising the safety of its passengers, pilots will continue to transport passengers safely - the changes we will see is that flying itself will cost more for the passenger.

[tb_neg]

If you look through the Turbulence Forecast blog, you'll see that NWA does the most avoidance by flying low, but I wonder how long that'll last with fuel being so very high in price. The other airlines would usually punch their way through light to moderate, but no airline will go through a storm, directly, so no worries there.

[skadanks]

If you look through the Turbulence Forecast blog, you'll see that NWA does the most avoidance by flying low, but I wonder how long that'll last with fuel being so very high in price. The other airlines would usually punch their way through light to moderate, but no airline will go through a storm, directly, so no worries there.

If it's a long squall line, they might not have a choice.