What kind of air travel delays happen in summer? This is what could impact your DFW flight
Inclement weather like snowstorms and fog impact air travel in the winter, but summer has it’s own setbacks that are less visible to travelers.
Weather is the largest cause of air traffic delays in the National Airspace System, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. These delays are most prevalent in the summer months.
With airports like Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport expecting a high traveler numbers during Independence Day weekend, here’s what to know about delays this summer.
What kind of flight delays happen in summer?
Convective weather, which is the vertical transport of heat and moisture in the atmosphere, can lead to thunderstorms.
Thunderstorms can cause severe turbulence, intense drafts, lightning, hail, heavy rain, strong low-level winds and tornadoes.
Even if there are clear skies outside your departing airport, that doesn’t necessarily mean weather is not cause for concern on the route to your destination.
Jet aircraft can fly over thunderstorms if its flight altitude is above turbulent cloud tops, according to the FAA. The most intense storms are usually the tallest, so en route flights always re-route to go around severe thunderstorms.
However, flight re-routing into neighboring airspace can cause overcrowding if the amount of departing flights are not managed.
Thunderstorms near an airport can also cause delays for arriving aircraft, forcing planes to slow down or enter a holding pattern until the storms have cleared. Overcrowded airspace and running out of fuel can become serious issues as more planes arrive, according to the FAA.
How do I know if my flight is delayed?
Most airlines have a way for passengers to check their flight status online.
Check with the airline you are traveling with to stay up to date on any delays or cancellations.
