5 Tips to Have a More Eco-Friendly Flight
I highlighted in a previous post how flying is not the most sustainable form of transportation. However, flying cannot always be avoided, especially if you frequently travel for business or have to go somewhere overseas. But don’t worry; there are still many ways you can fly more sustainably!
1. Fly economy instead of business or first-class
It might be tempting to upgrade your seats for a more comfortable flight, but you might want to think twice about that. Because business and first-class seats are larger, they take up more space, thus reducing the total amount of passengers they can hold — and less passengers means a greater carbon footprint per passenger.
2. Take direct flights
Obviously, when flying you want to reduce the distance you’re traveling by as much as possible. Taking direct flights rather than having layovers is a great way to reduce your traveling distance. Besides, layovers are a pain, so do yourself and the planet a favor by just taking the direct flight when possible!
3. Choose a fuel-efficient airline
Just like with anything else, consider the ethics of a company and what they stand for. Not all airlines are created equal, so be sure to do your research on sustainable airlines for your trip! Some airlines that are taking steps to be more fuel-efficient include Frontier Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Southwest Airlines.
4. Bring reusable supplies with you
Sometimes when you’re traveling it’s easy to just use disposable products for the sake of convenience. This can easily be avoided by being prepared! Pack basic reusable supplies like utensils, a handkerchief, hand sanitizer, food containers, and a water bottle in your airplane carry-on. And is it just me, or have you been more sensitive about germs ever since COVID? Well, by bringing your own supplies you know they’re clean and untouched!
5. Offset your carbon footprint
Now the best for last: did you know you can reverse the effects of your greenhouse gas emissions? Here’s how it works. Calculate the greenhouse gas emissions from your trip (you can use any online calculator/resource for this). Then you can donate to programs like Carbon Credit Capital, The Carbon Offset Company, or Native Energy to offset the emissions. These programs will use the money to fund climate research, sustainable development, and other projects that will benefit the environment. Isn’t that so cool? You can now enjoy your trip guilt-free, knowing that the emissions from your trip were reversed! Of course, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be conscious of your greenhouse gas emissions; it’s still better to stop the problem at its core rather than paying more to solve it later. But it’s nice knowing that some unavoidable emissions from your trip can be covered!
If you’re planning to travel this summer (or any other time), be sure to remember these tips to make your trip more sustainable, and have fun while you’re at it!