Flying: 5 things you can do
Of all the things you might consider when booking a trip – who’s coming, where are you going, what’s the cost – it’s easy to forget the environmental impact of how you get there. But if you do have to fly, a few savvy choices can help reduce your impact. Here’s how…
Fly direct, stay longer
Taking fewer, longer trips rather than multiple short breaks abroad will make a big difference to the environmental impact of your annual travel plans. Since take-off and landing are the most fuel-intensive parts of a flight, try to take direct journeys wherever possible – skipping the layover could slash your holiday’s emissions.
Choose economy class (and pack light)
Economy seating is not only cost-effective, it’s also more space-efficient than roomier options, which means your share of the flight’s carbon footprint is lower. Think about luggage allowances in the same way: every extra kilogram transported equates to more fuel burnt en route.
Check for alternatives
Consider greener transport options such as coaches, ferries or trains. Also look out for indicators and information on Skyscanner and Google, both of which are Travalyst partners and use the same rigorous data to display those flights with lower carbon emissions.
Go for green airports
The environmental impact of your flight is not just the fuel your plane burns while it’s in the air, but also everything that leads up to it. What energy powers the lights in the airport, how is your bag transported to the plane, and is the airport going further to actively reduce CO2 emissions and use cleaner sources of energy? Look out for those with Airport Carbon Accreditation, an independent assessment of their efforts to curb emissions.
Opt for the innovators
If you can, aim to travel with airlines that show a commitment to implementing the latest developments in greener air travel: making net zero commitments, and investing in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and electric and hydrogen aircraft fleets of the future.
At Travalyst, we’re working in partnership to help you make more sustainable choices…