Cathay Pacific and Google Expand AI Trials to Curb Climate Impact of Contrails

Cathay Pacific and Google have announced an expansion of their joint trials using artificial intelligence to reduce the climate impact of aircraft contrails. The initiative, which began in late 2025, leverages Google's AI-based forecasting tools to predict where contrails are likely to form, allowing pilots to adjust flight altitudes accordingly.

Contrails—the thin white lines that form behind aircraft in cold, humid conditions at high altitudes—are a significant contributor to aviation's climate footprint. Persistent contrails can account for roughly one-third of the sector's total climate impact, according to the companies.

In an initial phase, the technology was tested on more than 80 Cathay Pacific flights, achieving an estimated 40% reduction in contrail warming impact. This makes Cathay Pacific Google's first commercial airline partner in Asia-Pacific for this technology, and the first airline globally to test contrail avoidance on ultra-long-haul routes.

The second, larger phase of trials will be conducted across Cathay's Asian and trans-Pacific network. Michael Yue, Google Hong Kong's managing director and general manager, said the partnership aims to research how predictive AI can be deployed in live operations to help address the climate impact of contrails with today's aircraft and fuel. Lawrence Fong, Cathay's director of digital and IT, added that aviation needs solutions to address climate change and that AI is accelerating that progress.