# Pilots: why would flights be canceled due to cold? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 31, 2013, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-why-would-flights-be-canceled-due-to-cold/677564 "2013-12-31T14:22:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-why-would-flights-be-canceled-due-to-cold/677564/21 "2013-12-31T22:53:54Z")
Oh, yeah, they also lie a lot about why they ain’t going, as is posted up thread. - I am shocked I tell you, shocked. \* ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2013, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-why-would-flights-be-canceled-due-to-cold/677564/22 "2013-12-31T22:56:58Z")
> [@MikeS](#): > > (For the record, we’re talking about a daytime high of -18°F, and an overnight low of -29°F.) > What are the Bad Things that can happen if you operate a jet airliner in very cold temperatures? Ice. The fuel may have some water in it ,and this comes out and becomes ice crystals. This is what would block that tankers pumping fuel on the ground as they have no fuel warmer. (Guessing they have a filter that collects debris, and the ice crystals then inadvertently block the flow.) Aircraft have a de-icer (heater) to prevent ice blocking the filters and filters prevent blocking the narrow tubes… It may be that the ground equipment was having problems with ice and NOT a bit of viscosity. The ice in the fuel is dealt with two ways a. Planes into really cold places need special cold rated fuel , which is water free. b. the fuel heater See > **[British Airways Flight 38](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Airways_Flight_38)** > > British Airways Flight 38 was a scheduled international passenger flight from Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, China, to Heathrow Airport in London, United Kingdom, an 8,100-kilometre (4,400 nmi; 5,000 mi) trip. On 17 January 2008, the Boeing 777-200ER aircraft operating the flight (registered as G-YMMM) crashed-landed short of the runway at Heathrow. Of the 152 people on board, no fatalities resulted, but 47 people were injured, 1 of them seriously. The aircraft was The acci... This Boeing 777 was flying with fuel heaters that were able to be clogged up by the ice. (Ironically, the the heater designed to prevent clogs was getting clogged.) It wasn’t using the fuel rated for the extreme cold, but it was a long flight (as 777’s do ) and for some reason the upper air was particularly cold. Its possible that your flight didn’t have suitable fuel, so couldn’t go. ---
**Author:** ![Snerky\_Snerk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Snerky\_Snerk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snerky_Snerk)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2014, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-why-would-flights-be-canceled-due-to-cold/677564/23 "2014-01-01T08:23:54Z")
I’m no pilot, so can’t address issues with the aircraft. However, I live somewhere that can experience extreme heat and humidity. In unionised workplaces here, I have come across contract agreements that specify maximum temperature exposure - if exceeded, the workers have the right to down tools and leave the floor without penalty. Is it possible that the aircraft refuelers, baggage loaders, maintenance dudes, etc, have workplace agreements specifying minimum temperature exposure? Maybe United has contracted a company to provide services at that airport and got a reduced price for allowing a temperature clause? ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2014, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-why-would-flights-be-canceled-due-to-cold/677564/24 "2014-01-01T13:51:23Z")
> [@Gagundathar](#): > > You owe me a new keyboard! > > “[r]ents time on University computer” > Really? How old are you anyway? > heh heh heh He mentioned the abacus, that should clue you in to his age. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pilots-why-would-flights-be-canceled-due-to-cold/677564.md?page=1)