• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

New York City women are making up to $30,000 per month by renting out their closets to strangers

2

College-educated women are snapping up the highest-earning men without college degrees, leaving the rest further behind

3

An 11-year-old is cleaning his neighbors' trash cans for $10 each—he now has 100K followers as teens face the worst summer job market since 1948

1

New York City women are making up to $30,000 per month by renting out their closets to strangers

2

College-educated women are snapping up the highest-earning men without college degrees, leaving the rest further behind

3

An 11-year-old is cleaning his neighbors' trash cans for $10 each—he now has 100K followers as teens face the worst summer job market since 1948
LifestyleAir Travel

20 Southwest flight attendants injured by exploding soda cans from excessive summer heat

By
Seamus Webster
Seamus Webster
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Seamus Webster
Seamus Webster
Down Arrow Button Icon
July 19, 2024, 6:05 PM ET
Three Southwest planes seen grounded at an airport.
Cities where Southwest has a major presence like Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Dallas have experienced record-breaking temperatures this summer.Gary Hershorn—Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

The unprecedented mass of travelers taking to the skies might have to contend with another hiccup in their flight experiences—exploding soda cans. 

Recommended Video

On Southwest Airlines, at least 20 flight attendants have been injured this summer by carbonated beverages that exploded when they tried to open them, a phenomenon the airline is attributing to record-breaking summer heat, according to the Washington Post.

Thus far, no reports of passengers being injured from the soda cans have emerged, the Post noted. While the airline has experienced similar incidents in the past, this summer has seen an increase, it added. 

Southwest didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment but told the Post, “We are aware of the issue and have begun taking steps to attempt to mitigate it.” 

Aside from exploding cans, many travelers are not enjoying their flying experiences. Complaints about air travel rose to nearly 100,000 in 2023, the highest level since the pandemic. And on Friday, a faulty software update from the cybersecurity company CrowdStrike caused mass outages for companies relying on the services, grounding flights across the globe.

As the airline’s name would suggest, Southwest has a large presence in cities like Dallas, Phoenix, Houston, and Las Vegas, many of which have been experiencing record-breaking temperatures this summer caused by climate change. In Vegas, June 20 tied the hottest day Sin City has ever recorded, reaching 117 degrees. At Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport, 14 different days last month brought temperatures above 110 degrees.

Southwest may be more susceptible to the extreme heat than other carriers. Because it doesn’t serve perishable meals on flights, soda cans are transported in unrefrigerated trucks, which get quite hot when temperatures are reaching into the triple digits. 

To address the issue, Southwest has come up with a number of safety measures to mitigate the risk of detonating soft drinks, according to CBS. Ground crews have been instructed to measure the temperature of trucks—and cans—before the beverages are loaded into planes, and flight attendants have been told not to open cans that appear physically deformed. The airline is also testing some refrigerated trucks in Las Vegas. In an internal email obtained by CBS, the company said “viable solutions to bursting hot cans is our top priority.” 

Southwest may be dealing with more serious issues than exploding soda cans. The budget airline recently cut its revenue outlook for the second quarter of this year, citing “complexities in adapting its revenue management to current booking patterns in this dynamic environment.”

David Neeleman, founder of Breeze airlines as well as several other carriers, said at Fortune’s Brainstorm Tech conference this week that Southwest’s struggles may be a result of 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.

About the Author
By Seamus Webster
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Lifestyle

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

Latest in Lifestyle

Palantir spent $17.2 million flying its CEO Alex Karp around in 2025. It’s part of a private-jet boom sweeping the C-suite
C-Suitepalantir
Palantir spent $17.2 million flying its CEO Alex Karp around in 2025. It’s part of a private-jet boom sweeping the C-suite
By Sam Klebanov and Morning BrewJuly 27, 2026
2 hours ago
l
Arts & EntertainmentWealth
LeBron James joins California’s billionaire exodus, but he may not escape the wealth tax
By Nick LichtenbergJuly 27, 2026
2 hours ago
magic
RetailMillennials
What Magic: The Gathering’s record year reveals about America’s stalled adulthood economy
By Nick LichtenbergJuly 27, 2026
3 hours ago
t
North AmericaWhite House
The new Air Force One controversy is really about a 90-year power struggle over presidential travel
By Peter Kastor and The ConversationJuly 27, 2026
5 hours ago
Photo of Oprah Winfrey
SuccessCareers
Oprah Winfrey says ‘Life starts at 44’—and research proves she’s right: The average founder starts their business after 40
By Emma BurleighJuly 27, 2026
6 hours ago
A fan is pointed towards a classroom full of students in a school.
Environmentschools
Rising temperatures are putting students at risk of heat-related illnesses, and schools are scrambling to adapt
By The Conversation, Allison Poulos and Jennifer VanosJuly 27, 2026
6 hours ago

Most Popular

New York City women are making up to $30,000 per month by renting out their closets to strangers
Retail
New York City women are making up to $30,000 per month by renting out their closets to strangers
By Sarah GlodekJuly 27, 2026
15 hours ago
College-educated women are snapping up the highest-earning men without college degrees, leaving the rest further behind
Economy
College-educated women are snapping up the highest-earning men without college degrees, leaving the rest further behind
By Mia OsmonbekovJuly 26, 2026
1 day ago
An 11-year-old is cleaning his neighbors' trash cans for $10 each—he now has 100K followers as teens face the worst summer job market since 1948
Success
An 11-year-old is cleaning his neighbors' trash cans for $10 each—he now has 100K followers as teens face the worst summer job market since 1948
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJuly 25, 2026
3 days ago
The millennial generation is split in 2: an older crowd with boomer-style comfort, a younger set going 'back to the early 1900s'
Real Estate
The millennial generation is split in 2: an older crowd with boomer-style comfort, a younger set going 'back to the early 1900s'
By Nick LichtenbergJuly 25, 2026
2 days ago
I've been teaching college students for decades. Most of them can no longer finish a book
Commentary
I've been teaching college students for decades. Most of them can no longer finish a book
By Austin SaratJuly 26, 2026
2 days ago
One-third of Seattle's downtown is empty: Here's how America's boomtown turned into one of the toughest places to find a job
Real Estate
One-third of Seattle's downtown is empty: Here's how America's boomtown turned into one of the toughest places to find a job
By Nick LichtenbergJuly 27, 2026
14 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.