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It’s well-known that air travel contributes heavily to carbon emissions. A single flight consumes vast amounts of jet fuel, whether crossing a continent or an ocean.

The airline industry is actively working to lessen its carbon output. The goal is to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Achieving this will demand new technologies and a significant increase in modern aircraft within the global fleet.

Implementing these changes will take time, but airlines are already taking steps to cut their emissions.

“To continue operating in a world where carbon is restricted, we must decarbonize our operations,” stated Carrie Harris, head of sustainability at British Airways, in an interview with YSL News.

According to Harris, British Airways plans to update its fleet over the next few decades and has also invested in startups focused on sustainable aviation fuel. In addition to these long-term plans, they are employing tools like flight planning software to optimize fuel consumption and improving operations to lower emissions at airports.

“Given the scale of our carbon emissions, what might seem like a minor adjustment can translate into significant carbon savings over time,” Harris said. The emissions calculator from British Airways indicates that an average passenger’s carbon footprint for a round-trip flight from London to New York is 56 kilograms for economy class and 175 kilograms for business class.

Here are some initiatives British Airways and other airlines are pursuing to lessen their environmental impact with the current available technologies, along with expert recommendations for enhancing efficiency.

Enhanced flight planning

Harris mentioned that a focus on sustainability is part of a wider cultural shift at British Airways, highlighted by her appointment as the first head of sustainability in 2020 to demonstrate the airline’s dedication to greener practices. This transformation includes training enhancements for pilots to consider and assess their flight plans critically.

“We’ve introduced a new software system that provides pilots with insights on expected headwinds, allowing them to adjust their flight plans accordingly,” she explained. Efficient planning involves not only identifying routes with favorable winds, but also adjusting altitude and speed, and optimizing ascent and descent paths to decrease fuel consumption.

“It’s similar to driving a car; if you accelerate gently, you conserve fuel,” added Harris.

Max Z. Li, an assistant professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Michigan, noted that many airlines are adopting comparable strategies to enhance their flying efficiency.

“Rather than following inefficient flight paths, particularly when air traffic control is providing manual guidance or radar directions, airlines are utilizing small speed adjustments to maintain their course,” he said. “These adjustments are pivotal in improving flight operations.”

Enhanced ground operations

Airlines can further reduce their emissions by implementing minor changes in their ground operations, such as keeping aircraft connected to power while at the gate and taxiing with just one engine when possible to lower fuel consumption.

“On the tarmac, we make an effort to connect aircraft to power while stationary, allowing them to utilize renewable electricity instead of jet fuel,” Harris explained. “When pilots are preparing to taxi out, they will only ignite one engine until about five minutes before takeoff.”

Li noted that even adjusting departure timings can contribute to emission reductions.

“If there’s a long queue of aircraft ready for takeoff, it might be better to stay at the gate a bit longer with engines off rather than idling on the taxiway,” he suggested.

Numerous airports worldwide are already working

To reduce emissions, airlines are now focusing on electrifying their ground vehicles or transitioning to greener fuel options.

According to Harris, “We often think about future aircraft, but we have technology available today. We’re utilizing electric vehicles and biodiesel as alternatives to traditional fossil diesel.” She emphasized that flight crews, ground crews, cabin staff, and passengers can all witness these advancements firsthand on the airfield.

Looking Ahead: More Changes

These operational adjustments are just the initial steps towards achieving airlines’ carbon neutrality targets. However, Harris noted that British Airways has registered a 10% improvement in carbon efficiency since 2019, driven by enhanced operations and upcoming fleet updates.

“We’re still on the path to recovery from the pandemic. While year-over-year business is growing, the carbon intensity per passenger is decreasing,” she explained.

In the U.S., airlines are also striving to lessen their environmental impact. Notable actions include United Airlines committing to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at its Chicago O’Hare hub, while American Airlines has implemented new software to enhance the efficiency of taxiing at various airports. Delta is focusing on acquiring new aircraft and refurbishing existing ones to minimize fuel consumption, aiming for net zero emissions by 2050.

Nonetheless, more efforts are necessary, particularly in increasing the production of sustainable aviation fuels, to ensure that air travel becomes more environmentally friendly in the future.

“There’s plenty more to anticipate in this field, and it’s exhilarating to witness this movement gaining speed,” said Harris.