How strong would wind gusts have to be to cancel a flight?

[Chris3535]

Due to fly from heathrow to Vegas, on the day there are predicted max gusts of around 40mph WSW direction.

As the gusts are predicted for about 8 hours, 12-8pm, does this mean that a plane would not take off?

The actualy average wind for the day is 20mph but as its impossible to predict when a gust will come, how to airlines get round this or do they delay then eventually cancel??

 

[KARFA]

which day is that if can ask? i don't immediately see a day within the next week with winds for that level?

in any case, a wind of 40 mph (35 knts) won't mean the aircraft can't take off. I think that route is an A350 and they can take off in that level of wind - if it is WSW then it is mostly headwind rather than crosswind, and it is the latter which is a bigger issue.

On days with heavy winds and reductions in arrivals it is usually short haul which bears the brunt of cancellations anyway, long haul is usually protected more.

 

[Chris3535]

which day is that if can ask? i don't immediately see a day within the next week with winds for that level?

in any case, a wind of 40 mph (35 knts) won't mean the aircraft can't take off. I think that route is an A350 and they can take off in that level of wind - if it is WSW then it is mostly headwind rather than crosswind, and it is the latter which is a bigger issue.

On days with heavy winds and reductions in arrivals it is usually short haul which bears the brunt of cancellations anyway, long haul is usually protected more.

Hi many thanks for your reply

We due to fly out on Sunday at 1pm. The plane is a dream liner 787-9

 

[KARFA]

Ah ok. Sunday looks ok to me, the weather forecast I am looking at is around 20mph max. But yes even at 35mph it would be fine so I wouldn't be worried. A 787 can definitely take off in those kinds of winds.

 

[Chris3535]

Thanks... yeah 20mph is the average... it's predicting 35mph gusts... Which is what worried me.

Thanks for your help

 

[Aviador]

Lots of other factors have to be considered such as whether there's a wet runway, a crosswind component etc but most flights will accept in the region of a 40 knot headwind with no crosswind component and no went runway. Each aircraft manufacturer publishes the limits for their aircraft and each airline will also have local restrictions for certain airfields depending on local factors. It has been know for aircraft to land in severe wind but have then been unable to disembark due to being unable to use steps or boarding bridges. Ultimately the captain of the flight is responsible for the flight.

#crosswind #windytakeoff #windylanding #diversions

 

[YorkshireLad]

It has been know for aircraft to land in severe wind but have then been unable to disembark due to being unable to use steps or boarding bridges. Ultimately the captain of the flight is responsible for the flight.

When I landed at LBA from Ibiza in a gale, we got on the ground fine but could only disembark from the front because, as I quickly found out, it was far too windy for the mobile stairs at the rear