Contrails and their impact on climate

This Delta Air Lines presentation from the 2023 Aviation Noise & Emissions Symposium explains what contrails are, how they form, and why they matter for the climate. Contrails are line-shaped clouds created by aircraft engine exhaust or air pressure changes, forming through a rapid process in which exhaust particles become water droplets and then ice crystals within seconds. The presentation explores how to measure contrails' environmental impact and what solutions, including route adjustments, Delta is pursuing to reduce it.

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A Delta Air Lines presentation delivered at the Aviation Noise & Emissions Symposium 2023 addressing what contrails are, their climate impact, how that impact is measured, and potential mitigation solutions. The presentation includes an illustration of the mechanisms and timeline behind contrail formation, from exhaust aerosol particles to ice crystal growth.

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