Some may think global warming is a hoax. Rather than pointing out some alarming statistics, here’s a link you can look at when you have the time to see global warming is affecting your flight, and of course, travel in general.
Global warming has substantially affected the travel landscape. Lakes are shrinking, ecosystems are impacted and some destinations are losing tourism to crazy hot, record-breaking summers.
But a huge impact is in the skies. In this study, it’s suggested climate change can significantly increase flight turbulence (greater probability with transatlantic flights in winter), due to an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations.
For now, passengers are dealing with flights that are canceling because the weather is too hot for the plane to fly. Last month, American Airlines had to cancel more than 40 flights scheduled to leave Phoenix International Airport due to hot temperatures rising to 120F. Is global warming affecting air travel and your flight? Why yes. Yes, it is.
BBC explains that air has a lower density (meaning it’s thinner) at higher temperatures, which impacts how much lift is generated on an aircraft’s wings. Because flying in extremely hot weather is dangerous, it’s why many high-altitude airports in South America and also the Middle East schedule long flights for the evening or night. (Also, if you’re obsessed with astronomy, it’s why we can’t ever get to Venus (super hot planet). Mars? Ten years, I’m giving).
Of course, flying in general does not help the environment. It leaves a huge carbon footprint, statistically one of Earth’s biggest culprits, so it’s good to know that airlines are making huge strides to reduce their carbon footprint by using biofuels, using new aircraft with minimal emissions and recycling. Global warming is affecting your flight and air travel, and thankfully some airlines are going carbon neutral.
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Jimmy Im has traveled to 113 countries, stayed at over 600 hotels and clocked millions of air miles. He currently lives in New York City.