Cathay Pacific, Google expand AI trials to cut contrails

Cathay Pacific and ⁠Google are expanding trials of an AI-powered technology designed to help cut climate-warming aircraft contrails.

The trial, which began ‌in late 2025, used Google's ⁠AI-based forecasting tools to identify areas where contrails are likely to form and help pilots adjust flight altitude accordingly.

Contrails are ​the thin white lines that form behind aircraft when flying through certain ⁠cold and humid conditions at high altitudes.

An initial test on more than 80 Cathay flights achieved an estimated 40 percent reduction in contrail warming impact.

The Hong Kong carrier is Google's first commercial airline partner in Asia-Pacific for the technology, and the first ​airline globally to test contrail ⁠avoidance on ultra-long-haul flights.

A ⁠larger second phase of trials will be conducted across Cathay's Asian ​and trans-Pacific network.

Persistent contrails could account ‌for around ⁠one-third of aviation's total climate impact, the companies said.

"Aviation needs solutions to address climate change, and AI is accelerating that ‌progress," Cathay's director of digital and IT Lawrence Fong said.