Man holding glass of soda in front of a plane window
One staff member needed stitches (Picture: Getty Images)

There are lots of reasons you might feel anxious on a flight: from turbulence, to the less-than-pleasant toilets and the questionable food.

But one thing we didn’t think we’d have to worry about is having a drink.

Whether it’s a can of cool Diet Coke, or a holiday G&T, we’re going to be reaching for a mid-flight beverage at some point.

But now, some airlines are reporting incidences of exploding drinks — yes, really.

Southwest Airlines, a major low-budget carrier in the USA, have said that cans of fizzy drinks are rupturing on board.

It often occurs while they’re being opened, resulting in reports of about 20 injuries to employees so far this summer (and a big clean up operation).

One staff member even needed stitches in their hand.

And, if you’re a passenger sat in the firing line, you could be at risk too.

Flight attendant handing a drink to a passenger on a plane
The airline says they’re aware of the problem (Picture: Getty Images)

The issue is thought to be because none of the food or drink loaded on board Southwest flights is perishable, and therefore is not brought in on air-conditioned trucks.

It means that in cities such as Pheonix, Arizona, where temperatures can reach more than 40C in the summer, these carbonated drinks cans are exposed to outside heat for long periods of time.

When a can of carbonated liquid gets hot, pressure inside the can increases, and the gases also expand. This combination can cause the can to burst.

According to CBS News, airline officials are aware of the problem. Chris Perry, a Southwest spokesperson, told the publication that the airline has been ‘communicating to our employees about it throughout the spring and summer.’

While the issue has not been reported by any UK airlines – and most of them do indeed refrigerate items before they’re loaded onto a flight – it’s worth bearing this in mind for your next getaway, or if you’re flying with Southwest in the States.

Busy beach in Spain covered in people, towels and umbrellas
Sky temperatures have been reported in Spain (Picture: Getty Images)

And if you buy yourself a can of pop at an airport in Europe – which is currently experiencing a heatwave seeing highs of 44C in Spain – be sure to keep your drink cool. It’s also worth remembering that most airlines do not have facilities to refrigerate your own food on board.

If you’re worried about extreme heat on your holidays this summer, spare a thought for the residents of Kuwait City.

The country in the Middle East is considered the hottest city on Earth, where the forecast is typically over 50°C.

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It’s so warm there, that birds can be seen falling dead from the sky, and there’s even air conditioning outside in the streets.

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