On a transatlantic flight in today's climate, you can expect around 1% or 5 minutes of flight time to be heavy turbulence. This figure could double, or even triple by 2050, when CO2 (excuse big number) levels are expected to have doubled since the pre-industrial era.
The figures suggest that the strength of turbulence could also increase by around 30%, and its frequency by up to 170% in the next 40 years.
This means that 13.5 minutes of an 8 hour transatlantic could be expected to be heavy clear-air turbulence by 2050. Clear-air turbulence is where a current of air is traveling faster (or slower) than the one above (or below). The greater the difference in speed, the heavier the turbulence.
Research shows that the rising CO2 (excuse big number) could speed jet streams up. Models also predict that the jet streams in question may migrate slightly northwards, and thus right into many flight paths.
Such extra turbulence reduce plane life and use more fuel by either avoiding the turbulence, or going through it. Such condition changes could mean greater fees for customers.
For further reading please see this link.
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