American Airlines and Google say AI helped airplanes reduce contrails that trap heat

American Airlines and Google said Thursday that they significantly reduced the climate impact of some of the airline’s flights using an AI-based forecasting tool to help prevent contrails

American Airlines and Google said Thursday that they significantly reduced the climate impact of some of the airline's flights using an AI-based forecasting tool to help prevent contrails.

When airplanes fly through cold and humid areas, ice crystals can form around the soot particles emitted from the engine, creating clouds that trap heat and warm the planet. Google is using artificial intelligence to predict where these condensation trails, or contrails, are likely to form if planes pass through. American Airlines added the forecasts to its flight planning system on a trial basis to show where pilots could safely shift altitude or use optional routes to avoid those areas.

American Airlines and Google said the tool could be one of the most cost-effective, scalable climate solutions available in aviation now.

The aviation industry is under growing pressure to take action on climate change. And while those thin, white lines that form behind airplanes may look wispy, they're responsible for a surprising amount of Earth’s warming — 1% to 2%, according to Contrails.org, a nonprofit research organization dedicated to reducing aviation’s climate impact through contrail management, as part of the Breakthrough Energy group founded by Bill Gates. The group was among the collaborators in the trial.

Switching to cleaner fuels, such as sustainable aviation fuel, can significantly reduce emissions and contrails, though that’s far more expensive than slightly altering a flight route.