The Airline Companies That Are Taking Impactful Steps in Sustainability

Climbing the Mountain of Sustainability: How Can Airlines Reduce Carbon Emissions?

Climate change activist Greta Thunberg famously gave up air travel to bring attention to the industry’s negative impact. She didn’t expect anyone to stop flying outright, but she raised an important point: we need to rethink how we do air travel if we care about our planet’s future. 

One of the biggest challenges in improving airline industry sustainability is the sheer volume of carbon emissions it creates. Aviation accounted for 2,5% of carbon emissions in 2023, and with the industry’s growth since, that figure has only increased.

The good news is that plenty of innovations are being introduced to reduce airline carbon emissions and make green air travel a viable possibility. Here’s how:

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

Relying more on SAF is the main sustainability measure we’re seeing eco-friendly airlines take, and it’s credited as the change that will most contribute to airlines’ hitting zero emissions targets by 2050, but what exactly is it SAF?

SAF is an alternative jet fuel made from non-petroleum feedstocks that can reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 80%. Some versions of SAF are produced using waste products such as municipal solid waste, residue from agriculture and forestry, and waste fats and greases. Other versions are produced synthetically by capturing carbon from the air.

Either way, SAF relies on energy sources that are significantly more sustainable than petrol, especially since its production involves the usage waste products rather than requiring virgin materials. The reason this helps reduce carbon emissions is that SAF essentially recycles CO2. It uses what’s already here rather than adding more. The challenge, however, is that this fuel isn’t readily available yet and still needs significant investment in order to meet demand.

Flight Optimization Technology

Think of how Google Maps now has a “green” setting that uses data analytics to show you the most fuel-efficient driving routes. Most aviation companies are using a (bigger, more technologically advanced) version of this to help save on fuel and, in turn, carbon emissions.

Some flight optimization technology is specially aimed at reducing fuel usage during descent or making sure that cargo is dispersed properly on flights so that it isn’t creating issues that require the pilot to compensate for leading to more fuel consumption during a flight. 

Reducing In-Flight Waste

A few green airlines have completely given up single-use plastic in favor of compostable and recyclable options. Even just cutting back and switching to bamboo cutlery instead helps save hundreds of pounds of waste from ending up in landfills.

How food is sourced for cabin service is also changing. Singapore Airlines introduced a “farm to plane” initiative a few years ago that uses food grown near Newark-Liberty airport to reduce the carbon impact of its in-flight meal service.

Greener Ground Support

Vehicles used by ground support staff for plane inspections, or to transport passengers from the plane to the terminal, are being switched to electric technology to save on fuel and to reduce emissions at airports.

Newer More Efficient Aircrafts

It’s estimated that each new generation of aircraft since the 1950s has reduced emissions by 15-20%. Many of the improvements we’re seeing with newer planes are because they’re being designed specifically with sustainable air travel in mind. They’re more fuel-efficient, made from more eco-friendly materials, and make flying less carbon-intensive in general.

Replacing old aircraft is an expensive, and material consuming process though, and one we’re only seeing play out gradually at most airlines. Some exciting planes on the horizon include hybrid electric versions, fully electric versions, aircraft powered by carbon-free hydrogen fuel, and aircraft with optimized wing designs that limit drag and the need for fuel.

Relying Less on Voluntary Carbon Offsets

You may have noticed that some airlines offer “voluntary carbon offsets” in which you pay a little extra with your ticket, and the money goes toward forestry and environmental projects to offset carbon emitted during your flight.

While carbon offset projects can have a positive impact on protecting important environments, they also tend to offset accountability. As this New York Times article showed, buying carbon offsets just isn’t enough. We need to see real changes like those mentioned above if sustainable flights are to become a reality.

What Impact Do Strategic Commitments Have on The Airline Industry?

Strategic commitments to sustainability such as “carbon neutral by 2050” serve as guidance to the industry on where it needs to land next. More specific commitments, such as switching to at least 50% SAF, are even more impactful as they help guide production.

Right now, the global demand for SAF is projected to exceed production figures. The way to shift that is for airlines to be more vocal about their sustainability strategies. This gives scientists, manufacturers, and investors a chance to catch up and ensure that production keeps pace with demand.

Strategic commitments might seem like big promises that will be hard to fulfil, but it’s only by setting the bar that airlines will ever be able to reach greener heights. These goals allow everyone in the aviation industry to stay focused on building a more sustainable future.

7 Airline Companies That Are Making Noteworthy Changes In The Sustainability Space

Many airlines are making great efforts to reach the industry’s carbon-neutral goals. Here are 7 sustainable aviation companies leading the way:

1. EasyJet

Known as Europe’s “leading short-haul airline”, this company has become one of the world’s most sustainable airline options in recent years. In 2022, EasyJet announced that it would stop offsetting carbon emissions and instead pursue sustainability goals through more impactful avenues.

• Sustainability Measures in Effect: EasyJet’s sustainability approach is broken down into three main areas – reduce, replace, and remove. They’ve been introducing more modern, fuel-efficient NEO aircraft to replace outdated models and various operational efficiencies to reduce carbon footprint, including technology that specifically helps cut down on fuel usage during descent. The company is also increasing how much SAF they use year over year.

• Future Sustainability Plans and Goals: The company’s goal is to reach net zero emissions by 2050. A big part of that has been investing in measures that will hopefully come to fruition in the next few decades. EasyJet was the first airline in 2023 to sign up to the carbon removal initiative from Airbus. They’ve also invested in projects that look into hydrogen fuel, another more sustainable air fuel option.

• Potential Challenges: EasyJet has big goals, and while they’ve already lowered their emissions intensity by 5.6% from 2019 to 2024, there is still a very long way to go, and much of it rests on the hope that more aviation innovations will be approved for application.

2. United Airlines

United Airlines is one of the biggest US airlines and recently made headlines for investing in Twelve, a cleantech company that converts CO2 into SAF. This latest move is one of many that the company has made to ensure more sustainable flights.

United Airlines has won plenty of awards over the years for its sustainability and social governance efforts. They are also the first global airline to commit to reaching zero-emissions by 2050 without relying on carbon offset emissions. 

• Sustainability Measures in Effect: In 2024, the airline began replacing plastic economy cutlery with bamboo and using napkins made from 70% recycled content, and as of 2023, more than 35% of their ground support equipment has been switched to electric. The company also uses SAF and runs an investment fund designed specifically to support start-ups focused on decarbonizing air travel. United Airlines uses various technologies to increase fuel efficiency and reduce GHG (Green House Gas) emissions – this includes single-engine taxiing and reducing the weight of amenities on flights (it’s saved about 220,000 gallons of fuel per year). 

• Future Sustainability Plans and Goals: More investment, better technology, and more SAF – those are the main goals of the company as they try to hit zero emissions by 2050. They’ve also had their sustainability plan for their 2035 goals audited and validated by a third party to show that they’re on track.

• Potential Challenges: United Airlines asks for an optional, small donation when you purchase a flight that goes towards their sustainability efforts. It points to the fact that tight the profit margins airline companies have create challenges in sustianability investments.

3. Alaska Airlines

The 5^th biggest US airline, Alaska Airlines is a Seattle-based company that’s been at the forefront of eliminating in-flight waste. Back in 2021, they ditched plastic water bottles and cups in favor of boxed and paper versions. They’ve also worked to divert pilot uniforms from landfills and push for greater SAF availability.

• Sustainability Measures in Effect: Alaska Airlines was one of the first in the country to eliminate multiple sources of plastic waste from onboard service and successfully trialed a recycling program in 2024 that involves passengers putting all their waste in bags, which then go to a recycling program. The sustainable airline is currently using an SAF blend in San Francisco, has added various technologies for more fuel-efficient flying and navigation, and invested in more efficient aircraft to reduce carbon emissions.

• Future Sustainability Plans and Goals:  Alaska Airlines is aiming to be net zero on emissions by 2040, with SAF making up the majority of that plan. The airline is also planning to expand its recycling and waste reduction efforts.

• Potential Challenges: Like so many others on this list, the future sustainability of this airline is dependent on SAF expansion.

4. JetBlue Airways

For the most part, SAF blends are used here and there in the aviation industry, but until recently, it has never been a regular source of fuel from a major airport. JetBlue changed that in 2025 by purchasing a regular supply of SAF to be used out of New York’s JFK airport. It’s a big move from a big airline and an indication that green air travel is becoming more of a priority than ever.

• Sustainability Measures in Effect: Besides relying more on SAF blends to fuel flights, JetBlue has also transitioned to electric vehicles for its ground operations and reduced its use of single-use plastics for in-flight services. Where items are single-use, they’ve committed to using recyclable options and providing an onboard recycling program.

• Future Sustainability Plans and Goals: JetBlue’s goal is to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040, mostly by switching to SAF.

• Potential Challenges: JetBlue has asked loyal passengers to donate toward SAF in exchange for membership bumps and perks.

5. Virgin Atlantic

In 2023, Virgin Atlantic was the first commercial airline to fly a plane using 100% SAF. Some saw this as little more than a splashy marketing moment, but the British airline, founded by billionaire Richard Branson, has made sure to enact other meaningful sustainability efforts.

• Sustainability Measures in Effect: The company still relies on single-use plastics but has at least switched to recycled and recyclable materials. Virgin Atlantic has also committed to using more SAF and has updated many of its aircraft to be more fuel-efficient.

• Future Sustainability Plans and Goals: Virgin Atlantic is chasing net zero by 2050, mostly through further use of sustainable aviation fuel.

• Potential Challenges: The airline is relying hugely on SAF for it to meet its goals. While this is a great step, there is little communication about how they plan address other areas of sustainability not concerning fuel.

6. KLM

The KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has been an important voice in calling for the EU to advance SAF policies so that investment and production are improved. Their actions are a reminder that eco-friendly airlines need to be paying as much attention to big-picture policy work as they are to the smaller sustainability details.

• Sustainability Measures in Effect: KLM has been using about 1% of SAF for every departing flight for the last few years, though a new EU rule will push that to 2% going forward. KLM has also worked to reduce in-flight waste by switching to wooden cutlery on European flights and reusable cutlery and glassware in World Business Class. They’ve reduced the weight of cabin amenities and seats to increase fuel efficiency.

• Future Sustainability Plans and Goals: Zero emissions by 2050 is the goal, powered by a plan to use more SAF and embrace hydrogen-fueled aircraft.

• Potential Challenges: KLM has begun adding a SAF surcharge to tickets, pointing to the expense that the sustainable fuel adds. They’re also banking on big technologies taking off in the next few years.

7. Delta Airlines

Calling out companies for greenwashing works. In 2023, Delta Airlines was sued for making misleading claims and overly relying on carbon offset projects to support its carbon-neutral goals. They’ve since pivoted their approach and most recently, partnered with JetZero on developing more sustainable, fuel-efficient aircraft. 

• Sustainability Measures in Effect: By 2022, Deta had electrified 25% of ground support equipment, and this has only increased these efforts since. Single-use plastic on flights has been reduced with bamboo cutlery, etc. The Delta Carbon Council has been successful in making operational updates to reduce fuel usage while also buying more SAF and investing in a newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft. 

• Future Sustainability Plans and Goals: The company plans to hit zero emissions by 2050, with other goals such as 10% SAF usage by 2030. They’re investing in new technologies as well a scalling SAF production through the Delta Skies Lab.

• Potential Challenges: Delta has set itself tight goals for 2030 that relies on much better SAF access.

Flying Toward a Green Future

Sustainable air travel is becoming a reality as more and more airlines commit to a future where SAF evolves into a mainstream fuel and inflight experiences no longer involve single-use plastics. There’s a lot riding on the SAF and other alternative fuels as well as changes in process efficiency to make this happen. The silverlining is that the amount of investment and policy work that some airlines are pushing should give you hope that a net-zero 2050 is starting to look more and more possible.

What we can do is stay hopeful about the future by supporting the companies and people who are trying to make it greener. Next time you’re booking a flight, check if there’s an option for a more eco-friendly airline option or an SAF donation you can take part in. Every bit helps create more sustainable flights and a more sustainable planet. Happy Travels.

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