A321 flight attendants reported excessive cabin temperature due to an equipment problem and high outside temperature. The aircraft was delayed returning to the gate with minimal airflow; passengers and crew were experiencing illness symptoms due to high cabin temperature.
Synopsis
A321 flight attendants reported excessive cabin temperature due to an equipment problem and high outside temperature. The aircraft was delayed returning to the gate with minimal airflow; passengers and crew were experiencing illness symptoms due to high cabin temperature.
Narrative
Prior to aircraft arrival captain informed crew that there was an issue with the A/C (air conditioning) on the plane. It was 105 degrees at ZZZ this particular day. We began boarding with very limited airflow in the cabin and the temperature began to increase to a very uncomfortable level. We closed the boarding door and before the cockpit door was closed the captain had informed the [Flight Attendant] A that we might have an issue with our tires. While waiting for maintenance to come out the temperature in the cabin began getting even worse. Passengers were vocal about their discomfort. Took maintenance about 40 minutes to tell us that we'd need to deplane. During that time the captain made 1 PA to passengers letting them know what was happening. Captain claimed he informed the tower we would need to deplane and needed an agent to bring the jet bridge back to the plane. That took an additional 30 minutes to get an agent to open the door. During this time passengers began getting inpatient (rightfully so) and a few passengers threatened to open emergency exits. Others started telling other passengers to call 911 for help. Once the door was finally opened the agent refused to let any passengers off until she took the temperature in the cabin. Drenched in sweat we were then asked to rush to a new gate to board another plane only to wait an additional 40 minutes for catering. We also had a few elderly passengers claiming they were close to losing consciousness because of the heat. Also had a kid sick from the heat. Suggestions: We have to stop boarding planes that don't have a functioning APU or proper A/C. It's so inhumane and ridiculous that we even do it in the first place. Something very bad is going to happen to a passenger one day due to these conditions. Captains need to refuse these planes and they need to be fixed.
Second reporter narrative
Boarded aircraft knowing 1 engine had to be manually started. We were not getting much air at all during boarding. Aircraft was heating up rapidly. Full flight. Doors closed; jet bridge pushed back when they went to start the 2nd engine. That took awhile. We then found out we had a low/flat tire. Outside temp was 106 deg. To chug tire they had to turn off engines. It was really hot. Then needed to deplane but the engines had already been turned off. No agent could be contacted. We waited over 30 min from Captain trying to get agents to open the door. People were throwing up; XX yr old pax; new horns; one pax yelling call 911 and a pax threatening to blow a slide to get out. People were getting hysterical. Crew was trying to calmly deal with this horrendous situation at the gate in ZZZ. WE NEVER LEFT THE GATE. DON'T KNOW WHERE THE AGENT WAS. When she finally arrived she was rude and insisting our flight number and where we had come from. We were in emergency mode at this point. She then blocked our exit to get a temp reading. She was totally in the way and causing us from deplaning. She called her manager sometime while we were trying to get off the plane. One [of] the crew got off the manager started lecturing us about our brand and got in my face and totally discriminating against us as she verbally attacked and bullied us. It wasn't until the [Flight Attendant] A got her to back off. Maintenance called and was no help. We we all dehydrated; headaches and I for one felt like I had heatstroke and was in shock. Company had us continue onto ZZZ1 on another plane. I was so out of it and just sort of went with what we were TOLD to do. One body on the ground showed us any help or compassion. Heat stroke is real and I believe I had it and was dehydrated tooSuggestions: FAA need to hold airlines accountable in these extreme heat situation. People in ZZZ are dying due to the extreme heat this summer. Being locked up in a metal tube with no air is absolutely inhumane and can cause death. I hope that doesn't happen so Company needs to step up their guidelines and restrictions to take these broken planes all over. Airplanes must have air in the summer regardless before it can leave a gate.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.