Why You May Not Be Allowed to Fly if You Have a High Fever

Is It Too Hot Out to Fly Today? Answers for Dealing with High Temperatures

If you’ve ever wondered whether extreme heat means your travel plans will get grounded, you’re not alone. On sweltering summer days, many passengers find themselves questioning “Is it too hot to fly?” From my experience working in the aviation industry, heat-related flight cancellations do sometimes occur when temperatures rise to unsafe levels. In this article, I’ll explain the factors airlines consider and provide tips for dealing with a hot travel day whether your flight takes off or not.

Temperature Thresholds for Takeoff

The maximum outside air temperature for safe takeoff depends on several variables like aircraft type, runway length, and aircraft weight. However, most commercial jets can generally operate with outside air temperatures up to around 118°F or 48°C. Above this temperature, planes may need to take off with reduced passenger or cargo loads in order to lighten the aircraft for increased performance in the heat.

Airports closely monitor weather conditions, and airlines will cancel flights proactively if forecast highs are expected to cross the heat threshold for their aircraft. At the same time, some delays are also possible on days just under the limit as planes may sit longer on hot runways before takeoff clearances.

Mechanical Concerns in Extreme Heat

While aircraft are engineered to withstand wide temperature ranges, extreme prolonged heat does pose some mechanical risks. Everything from hydraulic fluids and tires to electronic systems can suffer issues if continuously exposed to above 118°F. Therefore, if a weather front remains stationary pumping hot air into an airport for multiple days, cancellations become more likely as ground equipment like jetways and tugs also reach their heat tolerances.

Passenger Comfort Considerations

Besides safety technical factors, airlines must weigh passenger experience impacts too. While air conditioning systems can cool a cabin 20-30 degrees cooler than outside temps, being uncomfortable for hours in 100+ degree heat is basically awful. So some cancellations may occur preemptively if the expected onboard conditions would basically be intolerable.

Contingency Planning for Delays

1. Check your airline’s cancel/refund policies: Most U.S. carriers offer fee-waived rebooks or credits for weather delays you can’t control.
2. Pack essentials in carry-on: Bring any medications, changes of clothes, snacks so you’re set if luggage gets delayed.
3. Monitor airport/airline advisories: Sign up for flight alerts and check social media for up-to-date chain reaction delay info.

Coping with Cancellations

If your flight does get cancelled due to heat, take a deep breath. While frustrating, safety always comes first. Here are some tips:

1. Contact your airline ASAP: See if they can rebook you that day on an alternate flight with empty seats.
2. Consider ground transportation: Driving may get you going faster than waiting for a flight if destination isn’t too far.
3. Make the most of your situation: Perhaps check local weather and see if outdoor activities are an option if you’re stuck a bit.

Extreme heat is a reality in some regions during summer. Kind of reminds me of the time I got stranded in Death Valley for a day once the mercury hit 120 degrees! But with preparation and flexibility, you can still get where you’re going with just a minor delay. Hope these insights help provide some reassurance if Mother Nature decides to turn up the thermostat on your travel day.

Do Airlines Compensate for Heat Cancellations?

If a flight is cancelled due to heat rather than airline control issues like mechanical problems, carriers are generally not obligated to provide financial compensation under domestic US laws. Their legal liability primarily kicks in for controllable on-time performance and overbooking situations. However, as mentioned earlier, most will rebook passengers or offer travel credits as a goodwill gesture for uncontrollable weather disruptions.

On international itineraries governed by European Union flight delay compensation rules though, carriers may have to pay out for cancellations due to heat if they are unable to get you to your destination within a certain timeframe. The specific thresholds vary depending on routes. So it basically doesn’t hurt to check your rights if a cancellation results in significant extra costs or inconvenience.

At the end of the day, airlines want happy customers just as much as safe operations. So not to overgeneralize, some carriers may provide meal or hotel vouchers to smooth over really rough travel days caused by very high heat advisories outside their controls. Doesn’t hurt to politely ask customer service about additional support in such cases. A little kindness can go a long way!

Staying Healthy in the Heat

Whether waiting at an airport or riding on a hot tarmac, it’s important to take precautions against heat illnesses on sweltering days. Here are a few tips:

• Drink plenty of water regularly even if not thirsty.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeinated or sugary beverages which dehydrate.
• Wear loose, light-colored clothing and a hat.
• Take breaks in the shade or air conditioning when possible.
• Watch for signs of heat stroke like confusion, nausea and hot/dry skin.

While high temperatures will always be a factor outdoors during summer, following these kinds of best practices can help keep you safe, sane and progressively hydrated no matter what your travel plans may bring. Perhaps quoting the wise words of Mark Twain, “Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.” With a little preparation, we can avoid getting too hot under the collar over forces beyond our control.

I hope this information helps provides some useful answers if you ever find yourself questioning “Is it too hot to fly today?” Feel free to reach out if any other aviation heat-related questions come to mind. Happy travels – hopefully with the A/C blasting at a comfortable 68 degrees!

Too Hot to Fly Temperature Limits by Airline

Airline	Temperature Limit (°C)
American Airlines	38
Delta	35
United	35
Southwest	37
JetBlue	35
Alaska Airlines	35
Frontier	38
Spirit	38
Hawaiian Airlines	35

FAQ

1. What items are not permitted in carry-on luggage due to fire risk?

   Lithium batteries and flammable liquids like gas are typically banned from carry-ons because they could basically catch fire.

2. Are there exceptions to the above rules?

   Certain essentials with small amounts of prohibited chemicals, like contact lens solution, are usually ok. You’ll need to check the rules carefully though since they adjust sometimes.

   

3. What should I do if security finds a banned item in my bag?

   If security finds a restricted object by mistake, remember to stay polite. Perhaps offer to check the bag or surrender the item – getting mad won’t help the situation. Safety is the top priority.

4. How hot does an electronic device need to feel before it’s a fire risk?

   Most experts say a gadget is too hot to touch for more than a few seconds. Still, temperatures that only feel warm to some could be dangerously hot for others. When in doubt, it’s best to power down until things cool off a bit. Safety first!

5. Can high temperatures damage electronic devices?

   The heat could potentially harm circuitry or batteries if a device gets excessively hot over time. On the other hand, most products today are designed to withstand typical working temps. The risk may be fairly low for short periods. It’s wise to play it safe though.

6. “What should you do with a device that feels hot?”

   If an electronic device feels too hot to handle, the best thing is to stop using it immediately. Moreover, you’ll want to power it down and let it cool in an open area away from other flammable materials. Once it’s returned to room temperature, it’s usually fine to use again. But if overheating becomes a recurring problem, it may be time for repair.

7. Can laptops or power banks overheat easily onboard a plane?

   The enclosed aircraft cabin could get pretty warm on a hot day. So charging devices may heat up a little quicker at higher altitudes with less air circulation. It’s smart to monitor gadgets and give them extra air if needed. Airplane outlets also supply less power, lessening the risk compared to normal.