Topline
Travelers are facing thousands of delayed flights on Monday due to extreme heat affecting air travel across major airport hubs from Nebraska to the Carolinas.
Key Facts
By approximately 7:30 p.m. EDT on Monday, more than 7,000 flights inside the U.S. had been postponed, as reported byFlightAware flight tracking data.
The South, Central region, and Tennessee Valley are expected to faceextreme heatuntil Wednesday, as reported by the National Weather Service, which is issuing alerts about heat index readings (“feels like” temperatures) exceeding 115 degrees in certain regions because of the “hazardous mix of high temperatures and humidity.”
By mid-afternoon on Monday, several major airports including Chicago O’Hare, Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, Denver, Detroit Metro, Charlotte-Douglas, Newark Liberty, Boston Logan, and Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National experienced flight delays exceeding 100 minutes.
Several other U.S. airports experienced delays of ten or more minutes, such as Baltimore/Washington, Las Vegas’ Harry Reid, Los Angeles, Seattle-Tacoma, New York’s LaGuardia, and Orlando.
Among the “big four” U.S. airlines, Southwest Airlines experienced the highest number of delays (1,165), followed by American Airlines (885), Delta Air Lines (736), and United Airlines (686).
The number of delayed flights accounts for almost 16% of the approximately 45,000 total flights handled by the FAA on a typical day.
Which Area of the Nation Is Affected by Severe Heat on Monday?
On Monday, intense heat will affect a large portion of the Central and Eastern United States, with the most hazardous mix of elevated temperatures and humidity expected to persist through Wednesday, as reported by theNWS forecast. From Nebraska to the Carolinas, temperatures will rise into the upper 90s and low 100s, with heat index readings (“feels like” temperatures) exceeding 110-115 degrees. Multiple large urban areas—such as Raleigh, Charlotte, and Orlando—will face “extreme heat risk,” indicating a high likelihood of dangerous and potentially life-threatening heat stroke with minimal exposure.
What Are the Effects of Severe Heat on Air Travel?
Extremely high temperatures, particularly when paired with humidity, can heighten the chances and intensity of thunderstorms, leading the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement ground delays or stops at impacted airports. Moreover, such extreme heat can require airlines to decrease the weight on board, resulting in flight delays and passengers being rebooked to reduce the load. Reducing the plane’s weight becomes essential because it requires more effort to lift the aircraft. “As the air gets warmer, it becomes less dense, meaning a higher groundspeed is needed just to reach the necessary airspeed for takeoff,” Melanie Dickman, a lecturer at The Ohio State University’s Center for Aviation Studies, explained to MathHotels.com. “Since the air is less dense, there are fewer air molecules passing over the wings, so the aircraft must move faster to generate the same amount of lift.” Higher temperatures necessitate longer runways for both takeoff and landing, while engines produce reduced thrust. “This means that there could be a situation where the runway isn’t long enough to handle the extended takeoff distance—especially at high-altitude airports, which already have thinner air compared to sea level,” Dickman noted. “Adding heat to this scenario can bring everything to a standstill.” Travelers may experience increased turbulence during takeoff and landing due to hot temperatures creating thermals and rising air, according to Dr. Bob Thomas, assistant professor of aeronautical science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, who shared this information with MathHotels.com.
What Causes Flight Delays in One Area to Affect the Entire United States?
A weather problem in one area frequently turns into a nationwide air travel challenge due to the way airlines reuse aircraft and staff for various flights throughout the day. A delayed morning flight from Boston can stop a plane from reaching Dallas in time for a midday departure, which then affects the same plane’s afternoon flight from Chicago. When thousands of early morning flights experience delays, it causes a chain reaction throughout the day.
Why Do Aircraft Cabins Become So Warm Before Departure and Upon Arrival?
In essence, aircraft air-cooling systems are intended to function while the plane is in flight, not when it’s on the ground. “The air conditioners on airplanes operate differently than you might think,” Thomas said to MathHotels.com. “At the airport gate, a large hose will supply cool air into the plane, but during the period between leaving the gate and taking off, the cabin can become somewhat warm.” According totarmac rulesAccording to the Department of Transportation (DOT), airlines must allow passengers to disembark after three hours for domestic flights and four hours for international flights. However, on extremely hot days, passengers may remain in overheated cabins for extended periods if the plane is stuck on the runway, either before takeoff or following a landing.
How Can Visitors Prevent Summer Air Travel Delays?
The easiest method for travelers to minimize the chance of flight delays is to schedule an early departure, when temperatures are lower. “Especially in the Southeast or any part of the South where daily afternoon thunderstorms are common, it’s usually better to choose the first flight of the day,” Dr. Thomas said to MathHotels.com. “This helps you steer clear of the possibility of thunderstorms causing delays and altering flight paths.”
Big Number
74% of flight delays in the United States are attributed to weather, according toFAA data.
Further Reading
Millions Under High Heat Warnings Across the U.S.—Following Tampa’s Warmest Day on Record—Here’s What You Need to Know(MathHotels.com)
More than 7,000 U.S. Flights Cancelled on Thursday — New Record for Extensive Delays(MathHotels.com)
