Cathay Pacific, Google Expand AI Trials for Climate-Friendly Flights

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

The technology uses Google's AI-based forecasting tools to identify areas where contrails are likely to form and help pilots adjust flight altitude accordingly.

An initial test on over 80 Cathay flights achieved an estimated 40% 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.