HOUSTON — Summer weather can throw a wrench in travel plans, but it's not just thunderstorms and hurricanes you have to worry about. High temperatures can also make air travel tough.
During extreme heat, planes need to lighten their load in order to take off. That's because the hotter it gets, the more air expands, making it less dense. That reduces the lift underneath an airplane's wings, making it harder to take flight.
While this is a bigger problem for smaller planes, it also affects those bigger passenger airplanes as well.
When it gets really hot, airlines declare weight restriction days. That means planes need to reduce cargo, reduce fuel, or reduce passengers. If you have flown lately, you know almost every flight is booked without a spare seat in sight. So if an airline has to reduce weight at the last minute, they'll have to bump some passengers.
Even if you can get on board, airlines often don't turn on the air conditioning until liftoff, making for some uncomfortable waits on the tarmac.
So what can you do?
Take a tip from Middle Eastern airlines that often limit takeoff and landings to early morning or late evening during the summer. While it may not be fun to book a 5 a.m. flight, it could save some hassles.
Also, beware that if you get stuck on the tarmac, airlines are required to keep cabin temperatures comfortable. If your delay is more than two hours, in most circumstances, they must provide food and water.