The surprising weather conditions that could delay your flight – and ruin your holiday
A PILOT has revealed why summer weather could result in more flights being cancelled.
Most people assume that clear sunny days have the best conditions for flying, but if it's too hot, there could be a problem.
Heat makes the air thinner, which reduces the lift that planes need to take off.
The warmer the temperature, the more difficult a plane will find it to climb to cruising altitude.
Kathleen Bangs, a former commercial pilot and now a spokesperson for , said that colder days are actually much better for flying.
She told : "The hotter and more humid the surrounding air is, the more aircraft engine and airfoil performance degrade.
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"Aircraft get their best performance during cool or cold temperatures as the density of the air increases.”
Bijan Vasigh, professor of economics and finance at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, explained at exactly which temperature planes will start to struggle.
And with scorching temperatures already affecting travel in Europe this summer, it could quickly become more of a problem to add to the mix.
He added: "When temperatures exceed 39 degrees centigrade, it becomes really problematic for airlines."
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Other pilots have previously urged passengers to book flights that take off earlier in the morning because that is when air is at its coolest.
This can also make flights less turbulent as well as making it easier for the plane to take off.
Pilot Jerry Johnson explained that the air changes throughout the day, and flights are often rougher in the afternoon as a result.
He told: "If you're a nervous flyer, book a morning flight.
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"The heating of the ground later causes bumpier air, and it's much more likely to thunderstorm in the afternoon."
While flights could be rougher during warmer temperatures, they're still perfectly safe.
Pilot Eser Aksan E told Sun Online Travel: "Stuff tossing around and people falling and stuff like that. That's the biggest problem for people when there's turbulence.
"That's the reason why people get hurt, but damage to the airplane isn't common.
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Meanwhile, this flight attendant revealed the dangerous reason you should never change your seat on a plane without telling them.
And another flight attendant explained why sitting at the back of the plane means you could get upgraded to first class.
