Scorching summer temperatures across the country are proving to be a safety hazard aboard some Southwest Airlines flights.
According to CBS News, Southwest confirmed that the heat has warped some soda cans on their aircraft and caused others to burst upon opening. This has proven to be a problem at cruising altitude, as 20 flight attendants so far have been injured by exploding soda cans this summer, with one even requiring stitches. There haven't been any reported incidents involving passengers.
"We’re aware of the issue and have been taking steps to keep onboard beverages cooler, especially in our airports experiencing extreme temperatures," a spokesperson said in a statement to NPR. "For the safety of our employees and customers, we are taking education and mitigation measures on all heat-related hazards."
Southwest handles in-flight beverages differently than other airlines, which could explain the issue. It doesn't handle perishables since it doesn't serve meals during flights, and the company is currently testing out trucks with air-conditioned cargo areas in its Phoenix and Las Vegas hubs. Airport teams are also being instructed to use digital thermometers to take the temperature of cans before loading them onto each plane; anything above 98 degrees Fahrenheit won't be allowed on board.
When beverage service begins in the air, flight attendants will take passengers' orders and bring them their drink rather than push a beverage cart down the aisle. Employees have been instructed to not open any cans that look misshapen or feel hot to the touch; in such cases, they offer customers another choice.
If you don't want to put yourself or flight crew at risk, you can always buy your preferred drink in the airport.
