As we know, climate change is one of the most threatening global issues of our time. Airlines such as United, American and JetBlue are beginning to recognize the role travel plays in contributing to the crisis, and the responsibility they hold in investing and implementing sustainable solutions.
United Airlines
In 2020, United Airlines announced plans to go 100% green by eliminating the airline’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 — one of the boldest promises an airline carrier has yet to make. Unique in their approach, United Airlines’ path to decarbonization looks far beyond traditional carbon offsetting. To achieve their goal by 2050, they are accelerating development and investment in sustainable fuel and direct air capture technology.
According to Sky NRG, sustainable fuel, also known as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), is fuel produced from eco-friendly resources such as non-fossil CO2, making it a clean substitute for fossil jet fuels. Across its aircraft fleet, United Airlines accounts for half of the world’s use of sustainable fuel, significantly reducing their carbon emissions.
United Airlines also plans to make a multimillion-dollar investment in a startup that will help fund the first Direct Air Capture plant in the United States, working to capture, remove and store 1 million metric tons of C02, through a process comparable to the photosynthesis of 40 million trees.
American Airlines
American Airlines recently announced their own strategic plan to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company plans to invest in new fuel-efficient aircrafts and sustainable fuel to reach its goal. Over the past eight years, American Airlines has added 595 new aircrafts with 10–15% improvements in fuel efficiency. In 2020, the airline committed to buying 9 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel, producing 75% less emissions than traditional jet fuel, to power its flights.
JetBlue
In 2020, JetBlue became the first airline to achieve carbon neutrality on all domestic flights. It was also the first to sign The Climate Pledge, a commitment to meet The Paris Agreement’s net-zero target by 2040, co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism. Businesses who sign the pledge can share insights, access to technologies, best practices, and innovations in supply chain enhancements. They can also choose to co-invest in other decarbonization and carbon sequestration projects.
As part of their strategic plan, JetBlue is also introducing more fuel-efficient aircrafts to their fleet, and utilizing NextGen Systems to identify and navigate shorter routes.
App in the Air
Global problems need global solutions with efforts from every country, company and individual. So how can App in the Air users join in?
In partnership with One Tree Planted, a 501 charity dedicated to help global reforestation efforts, App in the Air pledged to plant one tree for every flight booked through the app. Users can even offset the carbon impact of all previously taken flights, becoming fully carbon-neutral fliers. To date, our users have planted over 16,000 trees across the globe.
Book your next flight through App in the Air, to enjoy the beauty of travel while doing your part to reduce your carbon footprint.