Air traffic is on the rise, combined with scorching weather, resulting in planes being grounded for longer periods and internal temperatures reaching record highs.
In July 2023, in Las Vegas – the hottest summer ever recorded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), many passengers on a flight from Delta City to Atlanta required emergency care due to internal cabin temperatures soaring to 115 degrees Fahrenheit.
(Photo: Getty Images).
Sara Nelson, the president of the Association of Flight Attendants in the United States (AFA), stated: “The temperature in the cabin can reach triple digits. Some individuals had to go to the hospital because it was too hot and required medical treatment.”
The high cabin temperatures are primarily due to the engines being unable to power the air conditioning system while the plane is still on the ground. The air conditioning system can still be operated using the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) located at the tail of the aircraft. However, this is quite fuel-intensive, so most airlines today tend to avoid using the APU to lower internal cabin temperatures.
Currently, there are no standardized regulations regarding cabin temperature when passengers board the aircraft. According to the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), airlines address this issue by establishing their own specific standards.
Two airlines in the United States, Spirit and Hawaiian, have implemented rules requiring their flight attendants not to allow passengers to board if the cabin temperature exceeds 85 degrees Fahrenheit. For American Airlines, the temperature limit is set at 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Only a few airlines impose temperature limits, while most others leave this decision to the discretion of the captain and crew.
Only a few airlines impose temperature limits. (Photo: Getty Images).
According to Delta Airlines, passengers can help keep the cabin cool throughout the summer by following the crew’s instructions to lower window shades and open ventilation doors while the aircraft is on the ground.
Additionally, Southwest Airlines provides water, ice, and encourages the crew to take regular breaks in air-conditioned areas, minimizing sun exposure as much as possible. The airline also trains staff to recognize signs of temperature-related illnesses in passengers to ensure timely medical assistance.
Hassan Shahidi, president of an international non-profit aviation organization, stated that establishing standards and ensuring a safe temperature level within the aircraft cabin needs to consider multiple factors.
“Airlines must balance fuel efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, and the technological limitations of current aircraft cooling systems. Furthermore, establishing a uniform temperature standard can be complex due to varying climates depending on the airport and types of aircraft in operation,” Hassan Shahidi shared.
Additionally, operating the APU at the tail of the aircraft to cool the interior cabin may also be restricted by environmental regulations in different regions around the world.
