Extreme heat in Phoenix causing cancelation of several flights

Travelers who were set to board American Eagle flights on Tuesday, taking off between 3 and 6 p.m. out of Phoenix's Sky Harbor Airport, might want to consider renting a car or taking the train — the forecast calls for a high of 120 degrees, and that's too hot for some planes to fly.

In a statement, American Airlines said its regional American Eagle flights use the Bombardier CRJ aircraft, which has a maximum operating temperature of 118 degrees, The Arizona Republic reports. The airline decided to cancel 20 flights that would have taken off at the hottest time of the day, and will either refund customers their money or help them rebook. The extreme heat is not expected to affect larger jets.

The hotter it is, the harder it is for a plane to take off; hot air is less dense than cold air, and a plane needs to go faster in order to lift off. On June 26, 1990, Phoenix hit a record 122 degrees, which grounded a few flights then, too.

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