How extreme heat affects aviation
As global temperatures climb, aviation is hitting operational limits that are becoming harder to ignore. Extreme heat has pushed airlines to cut plane loads, reschedule flights, and offer passengers compensation to give up seats. On July 24, Las Vegas reached 47°C, prompting American Airlines to compensate travelers who voluntarily agreed to skip their flights.
Hot air is less dense, so wings get less lift and engines get less thrust. Before each departure, crews calculate the maximum allowable takeoff weight using:
- air temperature,
- airport elevation above sea level,
- runway length.
Denver’s airport, for instance, sits above 1,500 meters in elevation, which makes hot-day departures especially difficult. New York’s LaGuardia and Washington’s Ronald Reagan airports face extra challenges because of their short runways.
A 2017 study by researchers at Columbia University, NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, and the Logistics Management Institute concluded that some airports may have to restrict aircraft weight on 10–30% of daytime flights during the hottest days by mid-century if greenhouse gas emissions continue to grow. The study also projected that by 2065, planes leaving four European airports could be forced to reduce weight by the equivalent of ten passengers per flight.
Temperature trends in the U.S. and Europe
Phoenix has averaged 43 days per year with temperatures of at least 43°C since 2020. Las Vegas saw roughly 18 such days per year between 2020 and 2025. Palm Springs has experienced an even sharper trend: days exceeding 43°C rose to 55 per year in the 2020s, an 83% jump compared with the early 2000s.
The extreme heat is not limited to the United States. On August 6, Italy’s major cities were placed under the highest weather alert level, and temperatures in some regions reached nearly 40°C. Italian government ministries extended the hours at landmarks and museums by up to four additional hours to help tourists cope with the heat.
“Aviation cannot ignore the laws of physics,” said Ross Aimer, a former United Airlines captain and CEO of Aero Consulting Experts.
Aimer added that “jet engines, like the human body, need cool, dense air to perform at their best.” Jennifer Brady, a climate specialist at Climate Central, said the combination of these conditions makes airports particularly vulnerable to extreme heat, which is becoming more frequent due to global warming.
The situation highlights the need for aviation infrastructure to adapt to a warming climate. With temperatures expected to rise further, airlines and airports must develop strategies to keep passengers safe and comfortable while maintaining efficient operations in severe weather. This could include modernizing aircraft, rethinking routes, and improving load management. Europe’s experience shows that the challenge is global and demands coordinated international action.
As airlines navigate the challenges posed by soaring temperatures, other factors are also impacting air travel. Recent disruptions at Spanish airports due to strikes and border delays have compounded the difficulties faced by travelers, highlighting the multifaceted nature of current aviation issues. Understanding these interconnected challenges can provide a clearer picture of the evolving landscape of air travel.