Heat Struck Boeing 777 Trapped Passengers in Severe Heatwave

A Boeing 777 aircraft sat on the tarmac in Athens for three and a half hours without air conditioning, as temperatures outside reached 104 degrees Fahrenheit. This extreme heat incident occurred on June 10, 2024, during a severe heatwave in Greece that forced the closure of the Acropolis.

The flight was preparing to leave Athens when a technical problem stopped the aircraft. Among those on board were about 49 Muay Thai athletes returning from a world championship. Passengers began struggling with the conditions and some reportedly suffered nosebleeds and fainted, while others used oxygen masks.

Aviation regulations do not provide a simple temperature limit for commercial aircraft cabins. Instead, general guidance encourages airlines to maintain cabin temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. However, this guidance does not carry the force of an enforceable temperature limit.