Why Are There so Many Flight Delays During the Summer?
The sun is shining, there are no clouds in the sky, and all other aspects of summer weather seem to be perfect. Then why are there so many flight delays?
The heat makes it harder to fly
You might think that the icy winter will make it harder for airlines to keep running, but this is not always the case. In fact, it is more difficult for planes to fly in hot air because the air itself becomes less dense. The more rarefied air molecules mean that the wings of the plane create less lift, making it harder to take off. Basically, an airplane needs to travel long distances along a runway to gain the speed it needs to take off. Air traffic control will give planes more take-off space to compensate for the heat , and this could significantly improve the situation on the takeoff field. On the other hand, colder air is denser, making it easier to climb.
If it gets too hot, airlines will postpone or cancel flights until everything cools down. Just last week, American Airlines stopped 20 flights from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport due to extreme heat.
Summer thunderstorms affect routes
Weather accounts for 69% of all flight delays, but snowstorms are not the only problem, according to the Federal Aviation Administration . The peak of the weather delay actually occurs in May, June and July, and then narrows towards the fall. What is the main culprit? Thunderstorms.
During the summer, rain and thunderstorms, known as ” convective weather “, account for over 40% of all airport arrival delays (the remainder are caused by low ceilings, visibility and wind). A jet plane may attempt to fly over such hectic places, but these storms are often the tallest type of obstacle to encounter. Therefore, planes usually try to fly around them. This changes the flight time by altering the arrival time, which can back up the entire system if the flow is not properly managed. In some cases, a thunderstorm can even interfere with landing at the desired airport, making the situation much more difficult for everyone.
More people fly in the summer
Summer is the busiest time of the year for travelers. Everyone has gone on vacation, visiting family, or traveling for work. Many flight delays are caused by delays, which are often caused by the large number of passengers on board (when the weather is not to blame). The more people fly, the longer the landing time, the longer the disembarkation time and the more time spent on the runway to prepare for takeoff.
If you are afraid of getting into these summer delays, try to schedule all your flights in the morning. Milecards notes that even at the busiest airports such as Newark, on-time departures before 9 am is around 90%. Compare that to the dismal 55% of on-time departures after 6:00 pm, and the choice is clear. The early morning is cooler, the thunderstorms are not yet ripe, and most travelers are business people who could board the plane in time with their eyes closed. However, you probably won’t get any free updates .