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

American Airlines and Google said Thursday they have significantly reduced the climate impact of some of the airline’s flights by using an AI-based forecasting tool to help prevent contrails. When planes fly through cold, humid areas, it can create clouds that trap heat. Google uses artificial intelligence to predict where these contrails, or contrails, are likely to form if planes fly by. American Airlines has added forecasts to its flight planning system on a trial basis, to display optional routes to bypass these areas or change altitude. American Airlines and Google say this could be one of the most cost-effective and scalable climate solutions currently available in the aviation sector. The industry is under increasing pressure to combat climate change.