Flight disruptions loom on the horizon as temperatures rise.
Summer is a busy travel season, but it is also characterized by unpredictable weather and travel delays that are often beyond the airlines’ control.
Two major factors contribute to this unpredictability in flying: more frequent storms and, in extreme cases, high temperatures that make it impossible for some planes to take off and land.
Higher temperatures can also make things uncomfortable while waiting to board your flight.
With summer just around the corner, here’s what to expect when it comes to air travel and weather.
The weather is responsible for almost two-thirds of flight disruptions
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, 63% of flight delays are due to weather conditions.
“The FAA’s job is to get travelers to their destinations safely and efficiently. This summer will see more planes in the sky, frequent bad weather and increased use of the country’s airspace. We are continuously working to address these challenges,” a statement from the agency said. “Our summer travel website outlines the initiatives we have taken to keep summer travel safe and smooth.”
Airlines’ southern hubs in particular can be susceptible to storm and heat disruptions during the summer.
“While we cannot control the weather – which is the primary reason for delays – we are planning for and working on convective conditions,” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said in a statement. “To improve safety and improve efficient runway operations, we are installing innovative new surface surveillance technologies at airports across the country.”
Extreme heat can make flying impossible
As global temperatures rise, storms aren’t the only thing affecting flights.
“When air is hot, it becomes less dense as air molecules spread out,” said Bob Thomas, assistant professor of Aerospace Sciences at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus, in a post on the school’s website. “Hot air is thin air. While this reduces the lift aircraft depend on for takeoff, the greatest impact is felt on engine thrust. Aircraft engines will therefore produce less thrust during takeoff and ascent,” making it more difficult and sometimes even impossible for them to take off.
High temperatures could lead to additional weight restrictions on some planes at some airports, forcing some passengers to bump into each other. Extreme temperatures can even cause airlines to cancel some flights altogether.
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How hot is too hot for airplanes?
Most Airbus and Boeing jets can take off safely up to a temperature of about 122 degrees. Smaller regional aircraft often have a lower threshold for safe operation. But the exact limits depend on several factors, including the total weight of the aircraft, the altitude of the airport and other conditions.
How to plan ahead
The safest bet is to take the first flight of the morning. That’s when temperatures are typically at their lowest, and also the least likely time for airlines to experience delays due to previous disruptions.
It’s also usually a good idea to avoid transfers if possible at airports that are particularly prone to delays in the summer. The rule of thumb is often: connect via northern airports in the summer and southern airports in the winter.
Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at zwicher@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How high temperatures and strong storms can cause flight disruptions
