The 5 Most Eco-Friendly Airlines

Posted July 14, 2010

According to the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change, the CO2 from aviation accounts for 1.6% of all global greenhouse gas emissions and is set to reach 2.5% by 2050. IATA started the environmental movement for airlines by setting an important and semnificant goal – creating a zero-emissions airplane within 50 years. Last month, the airline industry also made a pledge to halve emissions by 2050 to force the development of a new, greener technology they can use. Some airlines have went further by pioneering new eco-friendly technologies that really make a statement. Here’s our pick for the five most eco-friendly airlines at the moment.

5. Virgin Airlines started its environmental efforts by signing a deal with Boeing that supposes the purchasing a number of eco-friendly aircrafts to use on their routes. The airline will receive 15 787-9 Dreamliners, that use 20% less fuel for every passenger onboard than other planes of a similar size. The new aircrafts will also be able to offer less bumpier takeoffs and landings, cleaner air, larger windows, more storage space and enhanced lighting onboard. Boeing also announced that over 500 787-9 Dreamliner aircrafts were ordered.

4. Continental Airlines replaced a large part of their fleet with planes that are more energy-efficient. The company saved an impressive amount of fuel and reduced emissions by 5%, after installing winglets on all their Boeing 737s and 757s. Moreover, the airline has begin experimenting Boeing 737s flights with bio fuel, which is made from extracts of algae and jartopha plants.

3. easyJet plans on installing new energy-efficient engines on all their Airbus A319s. By doing that, the low cost company intends to cut the mono-nitrogen oxide emissions by 25 percent. By 2015, the Easy Jet officials have in mind reducing noise by 25%, CO2 emissions by 50% and NOx by more than 75%. According to the company’s officials, EasyJet has cut its CO2 emissions per passenger kilometre by 18% since 2002. Their efficiency and use of smaller airports allows easyJet to fly more passengers/flight and emit 27% less carbon per passenger km than regular companies.

2. Lufthansa is one of the companies that made a commitment to the environment starting with the 1970s. Now, the airline plans to use at least 10% of bio fuel of the total fuel needed for flying and adopts new technologies and rules that will cut carbon dioxide emissions by 25% until 2020. Lufthansa also has a set of instruments onboard (Mozart) ozone, water vapor, N02 or CO2, which scientist use to understand weather and make forecast more precise. One of the most prominent accomplishments was

growing its traffic annually since ’91 while maintaining its CO2 emissions low. Also, installing 20,000+ lighter seats on aircraft in 2006 saved 12,000 tons of CO2 in one year alone.

1. Nature Air – What’s more eco-friendly than an airline built on a its 100% carbon neutral aviation program. Nature Air, Costa Rica’s national airline, engages passengers in a carbon offset scheme and a commitment for fuel reduction, both on the ground and in the air. They operate 74 daily flights with 8 aircrafts and improved fuel efficiency by 7% by training their crew, reducing aircrafts’ weight and focusing on flight planning. Nature Air has developed Costa Rica’s only bio-diesel fueling station and aims to become climate neutral by 2021, when the country will celebrate 200 years of independence.