Climate Change Predicted to Make Airplane Turbulence Worse

Now may be a good time to invest in companies that produce air sickness bags.

Because, by mid-century transatlantic flights will be a lot bumpier, according to a new study published in the journal Nature Climate Change.

The research --- conducted by scientists from the University of Reading and University of East Anglia, both in England --- predicts climate-warming greenhouse gasses will likely increase so-called clear-air turbulence along major air routes.

Such atmospheric disturbance are typically caused by columns of vertically moving air and is difficult to avoid because it cannot be spotted by pilots, satellites or radar.

Using climate change models and jet stream data, research teams examined the possible effects on the North Atlantic flight corridor during winter months --- and calculated the chances of encountering notable turbulence during flights will increase between 40 and 170 percent.

The research also anticipates the average strength of turbulence will increase between 10  and 40 percent.

"Air turbulence does more than just interrupt the service of in-flight drinks," lead study author Paul Williams, an atmospheric researcher at the University of Reading's National Center for Atmospheric Science, said in a release. "It injures hundreds of passengers and aircrew every year -- sometimes fatally. It also causes delays and damage to planes."

Williams, and co-author Manoj Joshi, a climatologist at the University of East Anglia, admitted that the behavior and mechanics of air turbulence are not fully understood.

They also acknowledged that a certain percentage change in air turbulence "does not necessarily imply the same percentage increase in the sensation of turbulence by travelers."

Then again, the release continued, a substantial increase in turbulence could well result in major changes to air travel.

"Flight paths may need to become more convoluted to avoid patches of turbulence that are stronger and more frequent, in which case journey times will lengthen and fuel consumption and emissions will increase," the statement said.