The unusually intense heat waves currently scorching wide swaths of the U.S. are now causing air carriers to adjust operations in some of the worst-affected cities. Measures airlines are being forced to implement include reducing their baggage and fuel loads, sometimes even reducing the number of passengers a plane can carry.
Why would airlines take such steps when faced with extreme heat? According to TIME magazine, such high ambient temperatures lower air density, which inhibits engine performance and reduces the amount of lift an aircraft can produce at any given speed.
That typically translates to planes needing to carry less weight at takeoff and longer runway distances before they can create enough lift to get off the ground.
Although airplanes are connected to external cooling units when they’re parked at the gate, very high external temperatures keep them from operating effectively. Then, as an aircraft sits idling on the tarmac, outside air is typically drawn in by the engines, being cooled somewhat before being circulated in the cabin. Still, in the extreme heat, this doesn’t always make for comfortable conditions inside.
With temperatures across the southwestern U.S. continuing to hit record highs, Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air announced that it will delay flights if climate conditions pose a threat to passengers’ safety or comfort.
On July 17, several passengers on a Delta Air Lines flight voluntarily got off a plane that was bound from Las Vegas to Atlanta because the extreme outdoor heat had created weight issues with the aircraft that cause delays.
“Additional protocols have been put in place to address the operational impacts extreme heat has on aircraft, including loading less fuel to account for weight and balance and schedule refueling along the route when needed,” Delta said in a statement this week.
American Airlines said it is taking extra steps to ensure that cooled air is being pumping into jet bridges connected to its aircraft. The company also carried out early maintenance procedures on the auxiliary power units that control onboard systems while engines are shut down, CEO Robert Isom said during a conference call Thursday.
“Though we’ve had a very small number of diversions and delays related to high temperatures, the plan we have in place has allowed us to avoid significant impact,” an American spokeswoman told TIME, also noting that the airline altered its operating plan to avoid imposing weight restrictions.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, be sure to subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter here.
Topics From This Article to Explore
