Modern fuel-efficient jets can cause more warming than older planes

Aeroplanes that fly at higher altitudes can create longer-lasting vapour trails that are likely to cause more global warming. Since private jets and modern fuel-efficient jets fly higher than other passenger jets, these aircraft may be causing even more warming than previously thought. The findings could help airlines work out which routes to fly to minimise contrails, says Edward Gryspeerdt at Imperial College London. "If we could predict the contrail-forming regions of the atmosphere well enough, you could route aircraft around them, which would reduce this effect." Aircraft contrails are a climate menace.