The heat wave sweeping across the Midwest and North-east of the United States this week could lead to flight delays and weight restrictions on luggage, an aviation expert has told Newsweek.
Also, passengers stuck in delayed planes are at increased risk of heat stroke as jet air conditioning systems struggle to cope in the hot weather.
Michael Anthony, an aviation expert based in Florida, told Newsweek: "Basically, hot air negatively affects aircraft in two very important ways, and then some unpleasant effects follow."
He said planes find it harder to takeoff in very hot weather, so luggage and even passengers risk being bumped from flights to lighten loads. Air conditioning systems rely on full power from the jet engines and can malfunction on the tarmac during delays, sending cabin temperatures soaring, he warned.
Airports across the heat wave-stricken area have already reached sweltering temperatures and are expected to get even hotter over the weekend of June 22 and 23, with Washington, DC's Ronald Reagan Airport predicted to reach 99 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday June 23.
An excessive heat warning has also been called for the northern state of New Hampshire, as temperatures are predicted to hit 105 F on June 20. A severe heat warning has also been issued for Boston, Massachusetts, where temperatures are expected to hit 94 F, but will feel like 100 F. A heat advisory was also issued for New York, where temperatures will also feel like 100 F in many parts of the state.
Airline difficulties due to extreme heat are already occurring around the world, as passengers on a Qatar Airlines flight in Greece last week experienced nosebleeds and fainting spells when the airline's air conditioning system failed in 102 F-degree heat, and airlines were delayed for hours at Delhi airport on June 19 when temperatures hit 113 F, making the surface temperature of the tarmac too hot to lift off.
Anthony explained that the lift generated by takeoff comes from the density and pressure of the air. Hot air is thin, meaning it has less density and pressure making it much harder to lift.
The 29-year-old flight navigator added that jets also produce less forward thrust in hotter air, and without that initial power they need a long runway to generate enough power to lift off the ground.
In a best-case scenario where a plane can takeoff they will still need to alleviate the pressure by removing some of the weight. That means passengers and heavy bags could be removed from their flight.
In 2017, more than 40 flights were canceled in Phoenix, Arizona because temperatures reached 119 F. According to Anthony, this is because their runway was not long enough to accommodate for the extra time needed to generate lift power.
Being booted from a plane is frustrating, but not a risk to life. However, hot temperatures can cause serious health risks for airline passengers, especially when planes are sitting on the tarmac.
Anthony told Newsweek that planes power their air conditioning primarily with the byproduct air of a running engine. When a plane is sitting still on the tarmac, the plane relies on its auxiliary air conditioning system, which may not be strong enough to cool everyone down, especially when more heat is rising from the tarmac.
Temperatures across major US airports are not as high as Delhi right now, nor Arizona in 2017, so few takeoffs are likely to be affected during the current northwestern heat wave, but the high temperatures still pose a risk to travellers waiting for their plane to depart or when disembarking.
Federal regulations determine that airlines must provide comfortable temperatures, medical assistance if needed, and the opportunity to get off the plane during major delays. However, they do not define "comfortable temperature."
To everyone who may be stuck on a hot plane, Anthony said: "Drink water and be patient. And it's not your flight attendant's fault!"
He also said that passengers concerned about flight cancellations and heat danger should look for flights out of bigger airports at lower altitudes. He explained, the higher the altitude the thinner the air is already, so a hotter temperature makes it even harder to takeoff.
Chicago's O'Hare and Midway airports will reach 94 F and 95 F respectively on Saturday. Ohio's John Glenn airport in Columbus will also reach 94 F, as will Ohio's Dayton airport. Ohio's other major airport, Hopkins International, will reach 93 F on Saturday.
In New York City, New Yorkers will experience the comparatively breezy temperature of 87 F at LaGuardia, but a high of 97 F is expected at Newark Airport just a few miles away in New Jersey. Boston's Logan Airport is expected to reach its highest temperature earlier than other cities, hitting 94 F on June 20.
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