HOUSTON — Summer weather can throw a wrench in travel plans, but its not just thunderstorms and hurricanes you have to worry about. High temperatures can also make air travel tough.
During extreme heat, planes need to lighten their load in order to take off. That’s because the hotter it gets, the more air expands, making it less denseand educing the lift underneath an airplane’s wings. That makes it harder to take flight.
While this is a bigger problem for smaller planes, it also affects those big passenger airplanes.
When it gets really hot, airlines declare weight restriction days. That means planes need to reduce cargo, reduce fuel or reduce passengers. If you have flown lately, you know almost every flight is booked without a spare seat in sight. So if an airline has to reduce weight at the last minute, they will have to bump some passengers. Even if you can get on board, airlines often do not turn on the air conditioning until liftoff, making for some uncomfortable waits on the tarmac.
So what can you do? You can take a tip from Middle East airlines that often limit takeoff and landings to the early morning or late evening hours during the summer. While it may not be fun to book a 5 a.m. flight, it could save you some hassles. Also be aware if you get stuck on the tarmac that airlines are required to keep cabin temperatures comfortable.
And if the delay is more than two hours, in most circumstances, they must provide food and water.
