Southwest Airlines is experiencing a problem with soda cans exploding on flights due to record-breaking temperatures. The airline has reported that at least 20 flight attendants have been injured by the bursting beverages since the start of the summer. Southwest is aware of the issue and is taking steps to address it, including educating employees and implementing mitigation measures to prevent further incidents.
The airline does not serve perishable meals on its flights, so refrigerated trucks are not used to transport beverages onto the aircraft. This means that soda cans stored at various airports are likely heating up, causing them to explode when they are opened at high altitudes. While incidents involving exploding soda cans have occurred in previous years, Southwest has noticed an increase in injuries this summer as severe heatwaves affect the country.
Airports in cities where Southwest has a large presence, such as Las Vegas, Phoenix, and various locations in Texas, are experiencing record temperatures. The airline is taking measures to ensure the safety of both employees and customers by addressing all heat-related hazards. Southwest is working on addressing the soda storage issues in cities where the problem is most prevalent and has directed ground crews to measure the temperature of soda cans before loading them onto planes.
While Southwest did not provide specific details about the nature of the injuries sustained by flight attendants, no passenger injuries have been reported. The airline is committed to finding a solution to the exploding soda can issue to prevent any further injuries or disruptions on its flights. Southwest is taking proactive steps to ensure the safety and well-being of its employees and customers by addressing the root cause of this problem and implementing measures to mitigate the risk of exploding soda cans.
