Flight Attendants Injured by Exploding Soda Cans on Southwest Airlines

Heat Wave Blamed for the Phenomenon

Imagine being on a flight, eager to enjoy your in-flight beverage, only to have it suddenly explode in your hands. This has been a worrying trend for Southwest Airlines this summer, with at least 20 flight attendants injured by carbonated beverages that have burst when opened. The airline has attributed this issue to record-breaking summer heat, and is taking steps to mitigate the problem.

What’s Causing the Problem?

The heat wave sweeping across the country has caused soda cans to explode when opened. The cans are transported in unrefrigerated trucks, which get extremely hot in temperatures reaching triple digits. This has led to the carbonation building up pressure, causing the cans to burst when opened. The airline has experienced similar incidents in the past, but this summer has seen an increase.

How is Southwest Airlines Addressing the Issue?

Southwest Airlines is taking several steps to address the issue. Ground crews are now measuring the temperature of trucks and cans before loading them onto planes, and flight attendants have been instructed not to open cans that appear physically deformed. The airline is also testing refrigerated trucks in Las Vegas to see if this can help alleviate the problem.

Is This a Serious Issue?

While the issue of exploding soda cans may seem trivial, it’s causing concern for the airline and its staff. In addition, Southwest Airlines has recently cut its revenue outlook for the second quarter, citing "complexities in adapting its revenue management to current booking patterns in this dynamic environment."

What’s Behind Southwest’s Struggles?

David Neeleman, founder of Breeze airlines and several other carriers, believes that Southwest’s struggles may be due to consumers being more willing to spend big at its rivals. "One of the reasons Southwest is kind of struggling today is that this kind of scramble for seats was cool back in the ’70s and ’80s and even the ’90s, but today when Delta is so much better, when United is so much better, people don’t want to fight for a seat," he said.

Air Travel Complaints on the Rise

The issue of exploding soda cans is just one of many problems facing air travelers this summer. Complaints about air travel rose to nearly 100,000 in 2023, the highest level since the pandemic. A recent software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike caused mass outages for companies relying on the service, grounding flights across the globe.

Conclusion

The issue of exploding soda cans on Southwest Airlines is a concerning one, and highlights the challenges faced by air travelers this summer. While the airline is taking steps to mitigate the problem, it’s clear that there are larger issues at play. From complaints about air travel to software outages, the aviation industry is facing a perfect storm of challenges.

FAQs

Q: What is causing the soda cans to explode?
A: The heat wave sweeping across the country is causing the soda cans to explode. The cans are transported in unrefrigerated trucks, which get extremely hot in temperatures reaching triple digits.

Q: How many flight attendants have been injured by exploding soda cans?
A: At least 20 flight attendants have been injured by exploding soda cans this summer.

Q: What is Southwest Airlines doing to address the issue?
A: The airline is taking several steps to address the issue, including measuring the temperature of trucks and cans before loading them onto planes, and instructing flight attendants not to open cans that appear physically deformed.

Q: Is this a serious issue?
A: While the issue of exploding soda cans may seem trivial, it’s causing concern for the airline and its staff. In addition, Southwest Airlines has recently cut its revenue outlook for the second quarter.

Q: What is behind Southwest’s struggles?
A: David Neeleman, founder of Breeze airlines and several other carriers, believes that Southwest’s struggles may be due to consumers being more willing to spend big at its rivals.

Q: How can I avoid being affected by this issue?
A: If you’re flying on Southwest Airlines, be sure to check with your flight attendant before opening your soda can to see if it’s been properly cooled down.

Author: fortune.com

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