Soda Cans Explode on Southwest Flights Due to Extreme Heat : NPR

Southwest Airlines says it’s taking steps to keep drinks cold on its flights.

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

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Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

Summer temperatures across the United States have reached such high levels that they have created problems at high altitudes, causing some hot drinks to explode in the air on a number of Southwest Airlines flights.

Many of the airports where Southwest has a large presence — such as Phoenix, Las Vegas, Austin, Dallas, Houston and Sacramento — are in cities that have already broken temperature records this year, as a result of heat waves caused by climate change.

Southwest confirmed to NPR that the heat had warped some cans and caused others to explode when opened, an issue it had been communicating with employees about since the spring. But it said no customer incidents had been reported.

“We are aware of the issue and have taken steps to keep drinks cold on board, especially at our airports where temperatures are extreme,” airline spokesman Chris Perry said in a statement.

About 20 flight attendants have been injured by exploding cans this summer, including one who needed stitches. According to CBS NewsThe union representing Southwest flight attendants, TWU Local 556, did not respond to NPR’s request for comment.

“For the safety of our employees and customers, we are taking educational and mitigation measures regarding all heat-related risks,” Perry added.

This problem appears to be unique to Southwest Airlines, which handles in-flight beverages differently than other airlines.

The company is self-equipping and does not handle perishables, and does not serve meals during flights. The company is now testing trucks with air-conditioned cargo areas in Phoenix and Las Vegas.

Airport teams are also required to use digital thermometers to measure the temperature of cans before each plane is loaded, and to retain any cans that reach temperatures above 98 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once on board, the airline instructed flight attendants — who take passengers’ orders and then bring them their drinks, rather than pushing a drinks cart down the aisle — not to open any cans that looked deformed or hot to the touch, and to offer customers a replacement and an apology instead.

Of course, climate change is causing more problems for travelers, and not just limited drink options. It is intensifying weather events like floods and storms, Makes flying planes more difficult It may also be responsible for the roughest flights.