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Heat Forces Flight Cancellations, Study Forecasts 30% Limits

8/6/2026

42 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

U.S. airlines canceled or delayed flights because extreme heat thinned air.
American Airlines canceled Palm Springs–Phoenix flights in June 2016 and Arizona flights in 2017 as Phoenix approached 120 °F.
Delta Air Lines asked volunteers to leave a Las Vegas flight during a July 2023 heat warning before canceling it.
A 2017 study projected 10%-30% of flights could face weight limits by midcentury at hot, high-elevation airports.

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Story summary

U.S. airlines canceled or delayed flights because extreme heat thinned air.
American Airlines canceled Palm Springs–Phoenix flights in June 2016 and Arizona flights in 2017 as Phoenix approached 120 °F.
Delta Air Lines asked volunteers to leave a Las Vegas flight during a July 2023 heat warning before canceling it.
A 2017 study projected 10%-30% of flights could face weight limits by midcentury at hot, high-elevation airports.