Mr Joshua, I know my frequently flown routes are different than where you want to go but in my experience you seem to get more turbulance on short flights than you do on long haul ones - probably something to do with plenty of opportunity to avoid 'weather'............but in saying that I don't think I have ever had a smooth flight over the Bay of Biscay
- anyway I digress - I think you should go and visit your friend and enjoy the flight because (although I can't guarantee it) in all likelehood it will be as smooth as silk - if you can find a cost effective airline flying 777's or the larger Airbuses you will not feel so crammed in - and if this is going to be a once in a lifetime experience, fly premium economy or business class
