Rising temperatures could keep more flights from taking off on time

Extreme heat can disrupt flights even when skies look clear, because hot air is thinner and reduces aircraft performance during takeoff. Researchers say climate change driven by humans could make these disruptions more common. In Las Vegas, American Airlines offered compensation on July 24 at Harry Reid International Airport after temperatures hit 114 degrees Fahrenheit, with the airline citing a standard practice: reducing aircraft weight by removing passengers or cargo or carrying less fuel when needed. Pilots and airlines compute whether takeoff is safe using factors including aircraft weight, airport elevation and temperature. Higher-altitude airports such as Denver face thinner air already, while shorter runways can increase the need for takeoff restrictions, including at places like LaGuardia and Reagan National.