In response to high summer temperatures in Phoenix (USA), Southwest Airlines has implemented new safety measures to prevent onboard incidents caused by expanding soda cans. In recent summers, the heat has caused packages stored at extreme temperatures to explode, even causing injury to flight personnel.
To prevent further incidents, the airline has begun using thermal guns to monitor the temperature of beverages stored at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. If cans are detected to be above 80°C, they are removed before boarding.
In addition, Southwest has incorporated refrigerated trucks to supply its aircraft, ensuring that both food and beverages are kept in safe conditions even under the desert sun. These mobile units also operate at Las Vegas airport, another of the airline’s hubs.
The new measures are part of a broader climate adaptation strategy, which includes redesigning menus with more heat-resistant products and improving staff training on food handling. All of this is aimed at ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers in a context of increasingly extreme temperatures.
