A lot of airlines purport to be “sustainable,” but are some airlines more sustainable than others? A look at the world’s most sustainability-focused airlines says yes.
In some regions of the world, sustainability is a big deal. Governments have taken significant measures to place parameters around what private companies can do. They’ve set standards for practices such as carbon accounting. However, in other regions, sustainability is more of a buzzword than anything. While employees and customers may care about it, some private companies may be doing less than they could to pursue net-zero carbon emissions and similar goals.
So, along these lines, it’s no surprise that some airlines are more focused on sustainability than others. To help you decide which airlines to choose, support and fly, here’s a look at some of the world’s most sustainability-focused airline options, as recently indicated by sustainability experts and sustainability-focused publications.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
In early 2024, LeafScore honored KLM Royal Dutch Airlines with its top spot for sustainability commitment among commercial airlines. LeafScore is an organization that provides sustainability rankings for a variety of products and services. It uses an intensive methodology that incorporates safety data from government agencies, industry reports and documents, and third-party reports.
The list of KLM’s impressive sustainability efforts is substantial.
LeafScore noted that KLM Royal Dutch Airlines aims to reduce its total carbon footprint by 15% in 2030. The airline’s Amsterdam hub operates entirely on sustainable fuel sources. The company uses 57 times more biofuel currently, than it did in 2011. It’s planning to build the first sustainable aviation fuel plant in the Netherlands. KLM also allows its Travelers to pay a carbon fee when making flight bookings. This helps cover one’s portion of the flight’s Co2 emissions. KLM likewise actively encourages passengers to not even fly, but to seek more environmentally friendly travel alternatives.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines receives a top spot on many lists of the most sustainability-focused airlines for several reasons. The airline’s most recent ESG report, released in 2023 for 2022, noted a straightforward path to net-zero emissions by 2040, leveraging new aircraft and carbon offsets as needed.
The airline also looks at smaller or seemingly more inconsequential elements of its operations that can, when combined, have a large impact on the environment. The report pointed to the airline’s waste reduction efforts as an example. In 2022, Alaska Airlines was the first U.S. airline to implement an electronic bag tag program. This eliminates bag tag waste. The airline has also eliminated waste throughout its in-flight food and beverage experience.
Alaska Airlines also broadens its approach to sustainability to include social sustainability as well. The airline boasts a strong focus on its internal DEI efforts, as well as a focus on philanthropy.
Turkish Airlines
For multiple years now, the World Finance Awards have named Turkish Airlines its most sustainability-focused flag carrier airline. Reasons include the airline’s voluntary carbon offset platform, sustainable fuel usage, in-flight sustainability projects and waste management. The airline aims to become carbon neutral by 2050.
As of the 2023 award, Turkish Airlines chairman of the board Dr. Ahmet Bolat, noted, “Turkish Airlines has set a goal to be one of the top three airlines in the world in terms of digitisation within three years as part of its strategic plan. Our company, in line with our commitment to be a Carbon Neutral Airline in 2050, have expanded the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, which we started to use as of 2022, by adding additional lines in 2023 as part of our plans to combat climate change.”
Japan Airlines
In the S&P Global 2023 Corporate Sustainability Assessment, one airline took the top spot. Receiving a top 1% S&P Global CSA score, is Japan Airlines.
Japan Airlines was the first Japanese airline to pledge a goal of net-zero Co2 emissions by 2050. The airline aims to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 10% from 2019 levels by 2030. The sustainability-focused airline has also pledged to eliminate petroleum-based, single-use plastics in all its planes and lounges by 2025.
American Airlines
The S&P Global 2023 Corporate Sustainability Assessment’s top, most sustainable North American airline was American Airlines.
The airline’s most recent sustainability report lists some lofty goals for the coming years, in addition to the net-zero emissions by 2050 goal that so many sustainability-focused airlines profess. By 2025, the airline wants to achieve an absolute reduction of 50 million gallons of jet fuel, source 2.5 million gigajoules of cost-competitive renewable energy, and fly 30% of available seat miles with the latest-generation aircraft. By 2030, it wants to replace 10% of its jet fuel with SAF. By 2035, it wants to reduce GHG emissions intensity by 45% and reduce Scope 2 emissions by 40%.
How to Find, Fly and Support Sustainability-Focused Airlines
While these might be five of the most sustainability-focused airlines in the world, as of the first half of 2024, not every Traveler will have access to these five airlines or even one of these airlines. So, how can your organization’s Travelers go about finding the most sustainable air travel for their upcoming business trips?
Here are a few steps your team can take to find, fly and support sustainability-focused airlines.
First, in the vein of KLM’s sustainability efforts, it’s worth considering whether or not flying is even your best choice at all. You can find more sustainable modes of travel in some instances, whether that be ground transportation or public transportation.
If flying is absolutely your only option, use tools to find sustainable flights. If you don’t currently work with a Travel Management Company or Travel Manager, you can utilize tools such as the “low emissions” filter on Google Flights to find available flights with lower emissions. If you do work with a Travel Management Company or Travel Manager, ask them what tools your team can incorporate into your booking processes, to ensure you book more eco-friendly flights.
Sustainable travel is becoming more and more of a concern for organizations seeking to gain a competitive advantage (both in securing customers/clients and top talent), as well as remain compliant with growing sustainability-related guidelines. If you need help making your business travel more sustainable, reach out and talk to a member of the JTB Business Travel team.
