Narrative:

I am going to focus on just the period following initial cabin door closure and eventual takeoff which was a period of just over 2 hours. There is more; but I will focus on that. Aircraft had inop APU. At initial door closure; ground air source was removed. Ground staff was unable to start the engine. There was no cool air for the aircraft cabin. Temperatures reaching as high as 92 degrees but mostly stayed at 90 degrees. Customers and crew verbally complain of heat. Visible observations include people reaching for air vents; people fanning themselves with objects such as the safety information card; perspiration and sweat. Passengers complained of light headiness; dizziness. Cups of water were distributed. PA was made to request window shades lowered (all were closed at the time boarding began but some shades had been opened by customers after they boarded). All reported to the captain by the purser. Jetway was returned to aircraft; cabin doors disarmed; and 1L door opened by csa. Passengers deplaned with luggage. One baby was observed to have 'flushed' (red) skin upon deplaning. Some passengers appeared lethargic and stepping of aircraft unsteadily. Captain exited the aircraft. I sat on an aisle chair just in the jetway and just outside the aircraft; attempting to cool my body temperature. My undergarments were soaked with sweat. I felt lethargic; lacked mental clarity; lightheaded and dizzy; stomach felt knotted; my temperament was irritable at times; apathetic at some other times. Approximately; 10-15 minutes later; aircraft was re-boarded with pax and their luggage. Aircraft door closed and engine started. This provided minimum air flow and no relief from the heat for the next 44 minutes of taxi and waiting in line for takeoff. With engine power at that time; temperatures still recording at 90 degrees in the cabin and at best; 85 degrees in cabin. Customers still reaching for air vents; fanning themselves; verbally complaining; etc...please note that I was able to note temperatures with a thermometer I possess.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737-900 Flight Attendant reported extreme heat inside the aircraft due to APU failure while on the ground.

Narrative: I am going to focus on just the period following initial cabin door closure and eventual takeoff which was a period of just over 2 hours. There is more; but I will focus on that. Aircraft had inop APU. At initial door closure; ground air source was removed. Ground staff was unable to start the engine. There was no cool air for the aircraft cabin. Temperatures reaching as high as 92 degrees but mostly stayed at 90 degrees. Customers and crew verbally complain of heat. Visible observations include people reaching for air vents; people fanning themselves with objects such as the Safety Information Card; perspiration and sweat. Passengers complained of light headiness; dizziness. Cups of water were distributed. PA was made to request window shades lowered (all were closed at the time boarding began but some shades had been opened by customers after they boarded). All reported to the Captain by the Purser. Jetway was returned to aircraft; cabin doors disarmed; and 1L door opened by CSA. Passengers deplaned with luggage. One baby was observed to have 'flushed' (red) skin upon deplaning. Some passengers appeared lethargic and stepping of aircraft unsteadily. Captain exited the aircraft. I sat on an aisle chair just in the jetway and just outside the aircraft; attempting to cool my body temperature. My undergarments were soaked with sweat. I felt lethargic; lacked mental clarity; lightheaded and dizzy; stomach felt knotted; my temperament was irritable at times; apathetic at some other times. Approximately; 10-15 minutes later; aircraft was re-boarded with pax and their luggage. Aircraft door closed and engine started. This provided minimum air flow and no relief from the heat for the next 44 minutes of taxi and waiting in line for takeoff. With engine power at that time; temperatures still recording at 90 degrees in the cabin and at best; 85 degrees in cabin. Customers still reaching for air vents; fanning themselves; verbally complaining; etc...Please note that I was able to note temperatures with a thermometer I possess.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.