Is it more dangerous to fly in the summer or winter?

Question

I know winter is the most obvious answer...but please give facts.

Answer 1

I don't think the season makes too much of a difference, you can get just as much bad weather, hurricanes, thunderstorms, etc. in the summer as you can get bad weather in the winter. Here's a list of the most recent air disasters, there seem to be just as many if not more in the summer months as in the winter months, and mechanical failures can happen anytime of year:

http://www.airsafe.com/events/last_15.ht...

Answer 2

Things can freeze up and runways can be slicker in winter. Summer things don't freeze and can handle heat better than cold kind of like humans do to. Runways are not slick in summer. There is usually no fog or clouds in summer. etc..etc.. etc... Choose a good airline and don't worry about it.

Answer 3

The season isn't important—what matters is the weather.  

Extremely hot weather can make take-off difficult or impossible, because of changes in air density, thermal stress on aircraft components, and stress on tires.  Extremely cold weather brings with it the possibility of freezing and icing on aircraft surfaces on the ground.

Precipitation is an issue. Snow and ice on the ground can be a problem. Freezing rain is a problem (normal rain, however, is not).  Icing is a problem in clouds and fog.

Storms must be avoided at all costs.  Sometimes extreme winds are a problem. Low visibility from mist or clouds or dust can interfere with flights.

Overall, the weather problems that hinder air travel tend to be a bit more common in winter, thanks to the snow and ice.  But storms can occur all year long, and freezing temperatures that produce ice can occur at altitude at any time of year.  Poor visibility is also a potential problem in any season.

None of this means that flight at any time of year is dangerous.  What it means is that some conditions (which may be more or less likely in certain seasons) are likely to get in the way of flights, requiring delays, diversions, and cancellations.

For example, although blizzards might be a problem in winter, right now airports on the Gulf Coast of the U.S. are bracing for hurricanes, and it's the middle of summer.

Answer 4

depends are you flying in a plane or off of a building in a drug induced stupor???

Answer 5

Aircraft performance tends to be better in the winter as long as you stay out of the icing. I prefer the winter over the summer. A hot day in Albuquerque taking off towards the east does not give you much margin for error should you lose an engine. Sandia Peak is awfully high and close. You'll be leaving bags and passengers behind if you want to get anywhere near minimum performance for your single engine profile.

Also summer is the time when you'll get thunderstorms, hail, windshear, and all sorts of nasty weather. I'll take winter any time.