A new route for planes arriving at LAX from the east will result in less pollution and noise for underlying communities, such as San Bernardino, Ontario and Chino.

The continuous descent approach or CDA was initiated by the FAA on Dec. 20 and allows aircraft engines to idle as they glide into the airport, which burns less fuel and creates fewer emissions.

"'Green' aviation routes like this are good for people who live below the flight path," Ian Gregor, FAA spokesman, said of the new route that starts about 100 miles east of LAX. "It has worked beautifully."

Gregor said it took several years - and more than 100,000 computer simulations - to design the route into LAX to accommodate planes of all speeds and angles and ensure there were no air route conflicts.

One of the three main arrival routes to LAX from the east was completely converted into CDA.

Gregor said he expects the other two routes to be converted as well by the end of the year, which would make about half the arrivals to LAX 'green.'