If you’ve spent any time outside in the Northern Hemisphere this summer, then you know just how hot it is out there.

The heat can be unbearable

Temperatures are soaring at Disney World (but we’ve got plenty of great tips on how to stay hydrated, cool, and find some shade!) and experts have even warned that this year’s Atlantic hurricane season will be worse because of warmer water temperatures as well. And, while we never thought we’d have to be worried about soda cans exploding on airplanes because of the heat, apparently, we do. 

It’s certainly no secret that it’s HOT out there y’all, but we never expected it to be “exploding cans of soda” hot. According to NPR, temperatures across the United States are so high that drinks have overheated and burst midair on multiple Southwest Airlines flights.

Southwest plane

A significant number of the airports where Southwest has a large presence are located in cities with record-breaking summer temperatures, such as Phoenix, Las Vegas, Austin, Dallas, Houston, and Sacramento. Experts have cited heat waves fueled by climate change for these extreme temperatures.

©Southwest

Southwest confirmed that “heat has warped some cans and caused others to burst upon opening,” and that the problem has been communicated to employees “since the spring.” There have not been any reported incidents involving passengers, however.

“We’re aware of the issue and have been taking steps to keep onboard beverages cooler, especially in our airports experiencing extreme temperatures,” said spokesperson Chris Perry. “For the Safety of our Employees and Customers, we are taking education and mitigation measures on all heat-related hazards,” he added.

Southwest Airlines

But, around 20 or so flight attendants have been injured by exploding cans, with one injury even requiring stitches — as first reported by CBS News.

TWU Local 556, the union that represents Southwest flight attendants, has not responded to any requests for comments on the situation.

Southwest Plane

For now, the issue seems to only be impacting Southwest, likely because the airline handles in-flight beverages differently than other airlines. Since they don’t serve meals during flights, the company doesn’t handle perishables and does all its own provisioning. In response to the exploding cans, Southwest is testing air-conditioned cargo trucks in Phoenix and Las Vegas.

Airport teams are also being instructed to use digital thermometers to take the temperature of cans before loading the planes, and to hold back any that read above 98 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, flight attendants are being told to not open any cans that look misshapen or are hot to the touch.

©Southwest

Be careful with those soda cans out there, people! You never know when one might go rogue and explode on you — especially if you’re on a flight! In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for any more potential mishaps that you could encounter on your next flight along with the latest news from Disney World, so stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more!

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Have you flown Southwest Airlines lately? Be sure to tell us in the comments.