Google partners with Cathay Pacific to use AI to crack the aviation industry's number one climate challenge

Alphabet's Google and Cathay Pacific are teaming up to use artificial intelligence to tackle one of aviation's most visible yet rarely addressed climate problems. The distinct white trails left by aircraft at high altitudes are formed by frozen water vapor clinging to particles in engine exhaust. While these contrails both mar the beauty of blue skies and often fuel various conspiracy theories, their main risk lies in their environmental harmthey trap heat like natural cirrus clouds. According to Google, about one-third of aviation's total climate impact stems from these contrails. The two companies say this climate impact could be significantly reduced, based on early operational trials conducted on dozens of Cathay Pacific routes in late 2025. In a pilot project, simply guiding pilots to avoid atmospheric zones prone to contrail formation reduced the warming effect caused by contrails by 40%. Google's solution, currently offered free of charge, combines predictive AI models, satellite imagery, and meteorological data to identify areas prone to contrail formation. This information is then translated into actionable recommendationsnamely, adjusting flight altitude so that flight planners and crew members can avoid specific airspace, much like how aircraft routinely adjust course or altitude to avoid turbulence zones. Cathay Pacific is Google's first airline in the Asia-Pacific region to trial its AI contrail mitigation technology, and the world's first carrier to test contrail avoidance on ultra-long-haul flights. Previously, Google had conducted similar trials with American Airlines Group. Lawrence Fong, Cathay Pacific's Director of Digital and Information Technology, said in a joint statement: "Our collaboration with Google brings together top-tier technology and exceptional operational expertise, demonstrating how data, AI, and innovation can be used to solve real-world challenges at scale."