A warming planet — with record-breaking heat — can affect an airplane’s ability to take off.
Higher temperatures reduce air density, which makes generating lift and engine thrust more difficult, a problem that is especially pronounced at airports located at higher elevations. Thinner, hotter air requires more runway and more engine power for a safe departure.
These effects are already showing up in airline operations. Last summer, American Airlines canceled flights from Phoenix (PHX), Arizona, when temperatures climbed to 120°F, exceeding the airline’s previously established maximum safe operating temperature of 118°F for its Bombardier CRJ regional jets. After reviewing the situation, the manufacturer and the airline adjusted that threshold to 123°F.
Large airliners built by manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus generally have higher certified operating temperature limits and can depart safely in temperatures up to about 127°F, but even they can face performance penalties in extreme heat.
Beyond cancellations and delays, rising temperatures and a changing climate are also expected to affect in-flight conditions, including the potential for increased turbulence as atmospheric patterns shift. Airlines and airports will need to adapt operations, schedules and infrastructure to maintain safety and reliability as global temperatures continue to climb.