Emirates Debuts Smart AI System to Predict Flight Turbulence

Turbulence incidents worldwide have grown due to changing weather patterns. This creates a mounting challenge for airlines and their passengers. Emirates now uses AI to tackle in-flight turbulence risk with a detailed, analytical strategy that will deliver smoother, safer flights.

The airline tackles this challenge with a multi-layered, intelligence-led approach. They use up-to-the-minute global data, predictive analytics, and artificial intelligence to reshape passenger experience. This innovative system helped Emirates reduce severe turbulence incidents by a lot in the last year. The airline’s weather detection setup combines three complementary systems: SkyPath, Lido mPilot from Lufthansa Systems, and IATA Turbulence Aware. These systems create an ecosystem that provides up-to-the-minute turbulence information, high-accuracy weather reporting, and predictive analytics powered by AI and machine learning [-3].

Emirates launches AI-powered turbulence prediction system

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“We recognize that turbulence remains an ongoing challenge that cannot be completely eliminated, but we’re committed to doing everything possible to minimize unexpected severe turbulence encounters through working with partners who share our vision of using advanced technologies and adopting AI to enhance operations.” — Captain Hassan Alhammadi, Divisional Senior Vice President Flight Operations, Emirates

Emirates has shown its new AI-powered prediction system to tackle the growing problem of in-flight turbulence. This move follows research that confirms direct links between climate change and rougher skies worldwide.

Why turbulence is rising globally

Studies from the University of Reading show concerning trends. Severe clear-air turbulence has risen by 55% over the North Atlantic and 41% over the United States since 1979. Wind shear at cruising altitudes has grown by 15% since satellites started monitoring atmospheric conditions. Scientists expect this trend to continue, with severe turbulence likely to double or triple by the century’s end.

The mechanisms are simple: global warming creates bigger temperature differences in the atmosphere and intensifies wind shear in jet streams. This atmospheric instability makes forecasting tough, especially when clear-air turbulence remains invisible to regular radar systems.

How Emirates is turning to AI to shake up in-flight turbulence risk

Emirates has developed an integrated, analytical approach that uses three complementary systems to address these challenges. The airline’s strategy centers on SkyPath, which they partnered with last year to improve AI and machine learning-based weather models.

SkyPath’s innovative platform combines live turbulence data from thousands of aircraft using:

• Eddy Dissipation Rate measurements
• ADSB transponder data
• Patented iPad accelerometer technology that converts device motion into turbulence measurements

The airline also uses Lido mPilot through its alliance with Lufthansa Systems. This customized navigational application offers precise weather reporting, live cloud visualization, and turbulence predictions that help pilots stay aware of conditions.

The third component involves Emirates’ role in IATA’s Turbulence Aware program. The airline contributes and accesses live turbulence data from airlines worldwide. This creates a global network of atmospheric intelligence that pilots can access through their electronic flight bag systems.

Captain Hassan Alhammadi, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President Flight Operations, said that while turbulence cannot be eliminated completely, these initiatives have shown clear results. The multi-layered approach has resulted in “a significant reduction in unexpected severe turbulence incidents” in the last year.

Emirates integrates SkyPath, Lido mPilot, and IATA Turbulence Aware

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The life-blood of Emirates’ turbulence management strategy comes from its integrated technology ecosystem. Three complementary platforms work together to predict, detect, and share turbulence data worldwide.

SkyPath uses AI and iPad sensors to detect clear-air turbulence

Emirates partnered with SkyPath last year to develop refined AI and machine learning-based weather predictions. The system excels at identifying turbulence areas that conventional methods miss, particularly the challenging “clear-air” turbulence that traditional radar cannot detect. SkyPath collects data from multiple sources:

• Eddy Dissipation Rate (EDR) data for universal turbulence measurements
• Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADSB) transponder data
• SkyPath’s patented iPad accelerometer technology that turns device movement into precise turbulence measurements

This AI-driven approach with multiple data sources gives global coverage with leading prediction accuracy. Pilots can adjust flight paths early, which reduces injury risks.

Lido mPilot provides immediate weather visualizations

Emirates works closely with Lufthansa Systems to use Lido mPilot, a mobile navigational charting application customized for the airline’s needs. The system collaborates with sources like the German Weather Service to deliver accurate weather reporting, live cloud and convection data, plus turbulence and icing predictions. Lido mPilot now features 12-hour turbulence and icing forecasts to boost flight safety. These detailed visualizations help pilots make better decisions in the cockpit.

IATA Turbulence Aware enables global data sharing

Emirates joined IATA’s Turbulence Aware Program last year and shares turbulence data from its network across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australia. The platform receives live reports from 28 airlines across 2,800 aircraft. It generated 24.8 million turbulence reports in the first half of 2025 – a 23% increase over the same period in 2024. The program protects airlines’ identity and privacy by anonymizing all data while providing detailed reports for each data point. Emirates pilots get live turbulence visualizations directly in their electronic flight bag systems. This helps them spot and avoid problematic areas early.

AI and machine learning improve flight safety and comfort

“By integrating these insights into its electronic flight bag charting application, Emirates equips its pilots with live, in-situ turbulence visualizations. This enables more informed decision-making in the cockpit, allowing crews to anticipate and avoid turbulent areas, ultimately enhancing passenger comfort, operational safety, and fuel efficiency.” — Emirates Media Center, Official Emirates communications

Emirates’ AI-powered systems turn complex data into practical insights that help pilots guide their aircraft through turbulent skies.

How predictive analytics help pilots avoid turbulence

Emirates pilots receive precise turbulence forecasts through advanced AI algorithms, including zones invisible to regular radar. The SkyPath system combines live turbulence data from thousands of aircraft. It uses Eddy Dissipation Rate measurements and ADSB transponder data to spot clear-air turbulence. This approach will give global coverage with leading prediction accuracy. Pilots can adjust their routes before hitting rough air patches.

Effect on fuel efficiency and route optimization

AI brings major operational advantages beyond passenger comfort. The system analyzes thousands of in-flight variables—altitude, wind speed, engine performance, and traffic conditions—to find fuel-efficient routes instantly. AI-driven flight planning cuts fuel use by up to 5%. This leads to huge cost savings and lower carbon emissions. The system processes weather data instantly to optimize routes dynamically. This boosts on-time performance by 10-15%.

Passenger experience improvements from smoother flights

Captain Hassan Alhammadi said these initiatives have “contributed to a significant reduction in unexpected severe turbulence incidents in the last year”. Emirates now offers safer, more comfortable experiences for passengers. Smoother flights mean fewer turbulence-related injuries. ICAO reported that turbulence caused 40% of all inflight injuries in 2023.

Emirates sets new benchmarks in aviation innovation

Emirates’ AI turbulence initiative has established the airline as a revolutionary force in aviation. The company’s fresh ideas have drawn praise from leaders throughout the industry.

Recognition from Forbes, Conde Nast, and World Travel Awards

The airline collected several prestigious awards in 2025. These include “Best International Airline,” “Best International First Class,” and “Best International Airline Lounge” from the Forbes Travel Guide Verified Air Travel Awards. More than 9,000 frequent fliers, luxury travel advisors, and industry inspectors validated Emirates’ excellence. The airline also achieved an 87.86 score in the Conde Nast Readers’ Choice Awards and won “Middle East’s Leading Airline Brand” at the World Travel Awards.

How Emirates’ tech strategy lines up with luxury service

Forbes highlighted that “the secret to Emirates’ success is that it continually refines every aspect of the passenger experience”. This philosophy shows in everything from their AI turbulence management systems to premium offerings. The airline’s position as a luxury leader stands strong with 26,800 weekly First Class seats – the largest international service worldwide. Their commitment to both tech advancement and passenger comfort creates an exceptional flight experience.

What other airlines can learn from Emirates’ approach

Emirates shows how combining tech advancement with outstanding customer service produces superior results. The airline’s use of AI-driven flight planning and premium amenities proves that safety and luxury work together as complementary strengths rather than opposing forces.

Emirates’ innovative AI-driven turbulence prediction system represents a major step forward in aviation safety and passenger comfort. The airline uses a three-pronged approach that combines SkyPath’s artificial intelligence, Lido mPilot’s visualization capabilities, and IATA’s Turbulence Aware global data network to build a detailed turbulence management ecosystem. Pilots now have access to unmatched predictive intelligence about atmospheric conditions and can adjust flight paths proactively before hitting rough air.

This breakthrough comes at a critical time as climate change makes turbulence worse worldwide. Research shows alarming trends. Severe clear-air turbulence has increased by a lot over major flight corridors. Wind shear at cruising altitudes continues to grow since satellite monitoring began. These challenges typically pose big risks, yet Emirates’ evidence-based strategy has showed fewer unexpected severe turbulence incidents in the last year.

The system goes beyond passenger comfort by delivering major operational advantages through fuel optimization and better routing. AI algorithms analyze thousands of variables at once and enable dynamic adjustments that streamline processes and safety. This innovative technology shows how Emirates combines innovative technology with its luxury service. The airline’s approach has earned prestigious recognition from Forbes, Conde Nast, and the World Travel Awards.

Emirates’ turbulence management success shows how AI can change long-standing aviation challenges into opportunities. Turbulence remains inevitable in air travel, yet the airline’s steadfast dedication to technology has created safer, more comfortable experiences. This approach does more than just manage turbulence – it shows how data intelligence can boost the entire flying experience for passengers worldwide.