Extreme heat across the United States 🇺🇸 in summer 2025 is causing widespread flight delays and major disruptions for travelers. As of late July, more than 7,000 flights have been delayed in just a few days, with the biggest impacts seen at major airports in the Southwest and along the East Coast. Airlines like Southwest, Delta, American, and United are all struggling to keep up as temperatures soar and heat advisories remain in effect.
The current heatwave, which began in July 2025, has led to a sharp rise in both delays and cancellations. On July 28 alone, nearly 2,700 flights were delayed due to extreme heat, and the problem is expected to continue as weather warnings stretch into August. According to the latest data, flight cancellations are up 17% compared to last year, and the average delay time has increased to 62 minutes. So far this summer, more than a quarter of all flights have been delayed, making it one of the most challenging travel seasons in recent memory.
Major Airlines and Airports Hit Hard
Southwest, Delta, American, and United are all facing serious operational problems. The biggest trouble spots include Dallas–Fort Worth, Atlanta, New York’s JFK and LaGuardia, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. East Coast airports have seen the highest jump in cancellations, with Ronald Reagan Washington National up 274%, Atlanta up 257%, and LaGuardia up 65% compared to last year. These numbers show just how much extreme heat is affecting air travel, especially in the Southwest and other hot regions.
Why Extreme Heat Causes Flight Delays
Extreme heat affects airplanes and airports in several important ways:
- Aircraft performance drops: When it’s very hot, the air becomes thinner. This means planes need longer runways to take off safely. Sometimes, airlines have to reduce the number of passengers or the amount of cargo on board, or they must wait until the temperature drops before taking off.
- Ground crew safety: Working outside in high heat is dangerous for airport workers. Airlines are now limiting how long ground crews can stay outside, rotating staff more often, and setting up cooling stations to help keep workers safe.
- Equipment failures: Southwest Airlines has reported that beverage cans have exploded in the heat, which is not only messy but also dangerous. To fix this, the airline has bought 60 new refrigerated trucks for cities like Phoenix and Las Vegas to keep drinks—and workers—cool.
New Airline and Airport Policies
To deal with these challenges, airlines have made several changes:
Southwest Airlines
– Ground crew safety: Limits on outdoor work time, more hydration and cooling stations, and new refrigerated trucks at hot-weather airports.
– Exploding cans: New safety steps and equipment to prevent injuries from overheated beverage cans.
– Baggage fees: As of May 28, 2025, Southwest now charges $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second, ending its “bags fly free” policy.
– Assigned seating: Starting January 27, 2026, Southwest will switch from open seating to assigned seats, with choices based on fare type.
– Travel credits: Credits given after May 28, 2025, now have expiration dates—either six months or one year, depending on the ticket.
– Power bank rules: Portable chargers must now be stored in personal items, not overhead bins, for safety reasons.
Delta, American, and United
– Change fee waivers: These airlines are waiving change fees for travelers affected by extreme heat at key hubs.
– Operational adjustments: All major airlines are changing schedules, rebooking passengers, and adding staff to help manage the disruptions.
– Travel alerts: United and others keep real-time travel alerts and waivers on their official websites for routes affected by the heat.
What Travelers Need to Know
If you’re flying this summer, here’s what you can expect and what you should do:
- Expect delays and cancellations: Longer wait times and more frequent delays are likely, especially at major hubs in the Southwest and other heat-affected areas.
- Flexible rebooking and refunds: Airlines are offering flexible rebooking options and, in some cases, automatic refunds for canceled flights.
- Safety measures: Both staff and passengers will see more safety steps, like extra water, shaded waiting areas, and more air-conditioned spaces.
- Baggage and seating changes: New fees and seating policies, especially at Southwest, may affect your travel costs and boarding process.
- Ground transportation: Be ready for possible delays in airport shuttles and rideshares due to more passengers and heat-related slowdowns.
Expert and Official Views
Aviation safety experts say that extreme heat is now a regular risk, not just a rare event. They urge airlines to invest in better infrastructure and update their rules to protect both passengers and workers. Steve Land, a leader on Southwest’s provisioning team, explained that the airline needed refrigerated trucks and new safety steps because summers are getting longer and hotter. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued several ground stops and weather advisories, working closely with airlines to keep disruptions as small as possible and make sure everyone stays safe.
Step-by-Step Guidance for Travelers
- Check your flight status: Use your airline’s website or app for real-time updates. United, Delta, American, and Southwest all have travel alerts and rebooking options online.
- Rebook if needed: If your flight is delayed or canceled, use the airline’s online tools or call customer service to rebook. Change fees are often waived during extreme weather.
- Prepare for delays: Bring water, snacks, and portable chargers (remember the new storage rules), and be ready for longer airport stays.
- Know the new baggage and seating rules: For Southwest, be aware of the new baggage fees and the switch to assigned seating.
- Plan ground transportation: Expect possible delays in airport shuttles and rideshares due to the heat and more travelers.
Background and Context
Weather has always played a role in air travel, but the number and seriousness of heat-related delays have grown a lot in the last two years. Both 2024 and 2025 have set new records for high temperatures and flight disruptions. Airlines have moved from making last-minute changes to putting in place bigger, long-term fixes, like upgrading equipment, changing crew schedules, and updating customer policies.
Looking Ahead
Meteorologists say that extreme heat events will likely continue through August 2025, so travelers should expect more disruptions. Airlines are expected to keep investing in ways to deal with the heat and may change their rules even more as climate impacts grow. The FAA and the Department of Transportation are also looking at new safety and consumer protection steps in response to this summer’s problems.
Where to Find Official Information
Travelers can find the latest updates and policies on airline and government websites. For example, the FAA provides national airspace status and weather advisories at faa.gov. Each airline also has its own travel alert page, where you can check for waivers, rebooking options, and policy changes.
Summary and Practical Takeaways
Extreme heat is now a major cause of flight delays and changes for all major U.S. airlines in summer 2025. Travelers should expect more disruptions, new fees, and changing policies as airlines and regulators respond to the growing impact of climate-driven weather events. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these changes are likely to continue as airlines adapt to hotter summers and more frequent extreme weather.
If you’re planning to fly, check your flight status often, know your airline’s latest rules, and prepare for possible delays. Bring extra water and snacks, and be ready for changes in baggage fees and seating. Stay informed by visiting your airline’s website and the FAA’s official page for the most up-to-date information. By staying prepared and flexible, you can reduce stress and make your travel experience smoother, even during these challenging times.
Learn Today
Flight Delay → The postponement of a flight’s scheduled departure or arrival time, often caused by weather or technical issues.
Heat Advisory → A weather warning indicating dangerously high temperatures that can affect outdoor activities and operations.
Baggage Fee → A charge imposed by airlines for checked luggage, which may vary by carrier and ticket type.
Assigned Seating → A seating system where passengers have specific seats reserved instead of choosing freely.
FAA → Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. agency regulating and overseeing civil aviation safety and operations.
This Article in a Nutshell
Extreme heat in summer 2025 causes major flight delays and cancellations across U.S. airlines. Southwest adjusts policies. Travelers face longer waits, new fees, and schedules. Airports suffer operational challenges. Experts call for infrastructure upgrades as climate worsens. Check airline updates and prepare for heat-related disruptions to ensure safer travels.
— By VisaVerge.com
