How Cold It Would Have to Be to Keep Your Plane From Flying (Video)

The cold isn’t why your flight is cancelled.

But it isn’t the cold that’s a problem for most aircraft.

In fact, airplanes are more efficient in low temperatures, as cold air is denser than warm air.

That typically means shorter, faster takeoffs and better performance.

There is one major challenge with cold weather, however, and that’s the accompanying ice and snow.

Thats why airplanes must be carefully cleaned and protected during inclement winter weather.

At that point, Laskin noted, snow wont accumulate because of the speed.

Of course, cold and wet winter weather can still lead to flight delays and cancellations.

As Winter Storm Grayson brings blizzard conditions across the Northeast, more than 3,000 flights have already been cancelled.