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

A trial of over 2,400 eastbound transatlantic flights showed AI-guided route changes cut visible contrails by 62% and reduced warming impact by nearly 14%, American Airlines said.

  • On Thursday, American Airlines and Google said they significantly reduced the climate impact of some flights using an AI tool in a trial of more than 2,400 eastbound transatlantic flights.
  • When airplanes pass through cold, humid air, ice crystals in the upper atmosphere form contrails that trap heat and cause 1% to 2% of warming, Contrails.org said, with AI contrail-forecasting techniques helping avoid these regions.
  • According to satellite-image analysis, air traffic dispatchers were shown an AI-optimised low-contrail route, and flights that took it formed 62% fewer contrails, estimated to reduce warming by 69.3%.
  • American Airlines said it is not yet making contrail avoidance routine but hopes to continue studies and work with flight planners on larger trials.
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Google: AI tool helped prevent heat-trapping contrails

Google's AI forecasts helped reduce contrails on American Airlines flights, marking a significant step towards minimizing aviation's environmental impact.

·Washington, United States
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Associated Press NewsAssociated Press News
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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.

·United States
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NewScientist broke the news in Baltimore, United States on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
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