Nearly 180 flights carrying about 24,000 passengers were rerouted in SMART's first six weeks, trimming average flight times by more than 10 minutes, according to new DOT data.
The FAA system combines 200 data streams—including weather, flight paths, traffic flow and controller staffing—to predict congestion and suggest more efficient routes before delays build.
DOT said SMART also saved nearly 80 gallons of fuel per flight on average; on one October Reagan-to-Orlando trip, a westward reroute cut 11 nautical miles and saved six minutes.
Human controllers still make the final call: aviation specialists vet SMART's recommendations, which then go to the FAA command center and local facilities for approval.
SMART launched in the National Capital Region in September and is being validated in Miami, Jacksonville and Atlanta as the FAA aims to expand it to all 22 air traffic control centers.