Which flight you choose has a huge impact on air emissions?

Choosing the right airline that has a low emissions record can make a big difference to your carbon footprint. With the environmental effects of global warming being such an important issue, there’s little doubt that choosing the correct airline is crucial to minimizing your carbon emissions. So, here are some tips to helping you choose the right airline for your flying needs:

– Look at the size of the aircraft in relation to your own plane. Most airlines can only accommodate small airplanes and larger jets. It’s not worth taking a risk with your own transportation when you can travel by a smaller, more economical plane. Look at all of your options before deciding which airline will give you the best price.

– Exhaust has a huge impact on the level of air emissions released into the atmosphere. There are two main sources of this – internal combustion engines and non-combustion engines. Internal combustion engines put out more air emissions than non-combustion engines. Non-combustion engines only release air once they’re started. Internal combustion engines also have to work harder to start, so they use more fuel in the long run. Internal combustion engines release more greenhouse gases than any other source of power.

– Look at the airline’s emissions-related policy. Some airlines are more responsible than others when it comes to their air emissions. Check with your own federal government to see which airlines have the most stringent policies on emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency provides information on each airline’s record on emissions. You’ll likely find that the most efficient airline in terms of its policy is United Airlines, as it sells its tickets using environmentally friendly methods. Delta Airlines, Continental Airlines, American Airlines, and United Parcel Service (the largest airline in the US) all have very strict policies on their emissions, and they have to be followed.

– Do you know what kind of fuel is being burned? Every flight produces different amounts of fuel. Some aircraft burn petrol; some burn diesel; some use bio-fuel; and some emit nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide, or other pollutants into the atmosphere. The kind of fuel being burnt determines what kind of air emissions are created during take-off and landings. Your airline should have an informative website where you can find this information.

– Does your airline offer any kind of emission forgiveness? If you buy tickets from major airlines with hugely high fares, such as United, Delta, and Continental, you can often get a credit for purchasing a ticket from another carrier. This may not always be possible, however, and if it isn’t possible, you can ask for a discount. A discount can often equal much better air quality and less pollution during the trip.

– Does your airline offer any kind of emissions trading? This is where you can trade emissions credits between your flight and the destination airport. If you’re going to Europe and your local airport is emitting too much, you can trade credits with other airports that are closer to home. You also don’t have to pay tax on the credits you receive, since they are green ones. These credits are usually traded for cash but you can also use them to offset other expenses during your trip.

– How many passengers do your airline typically carry on a single flight? The more passengers a plane takes, the more it emits into the environment. Look closely at the seating maps of the planes you are interested in flying in. If there are a lot of seats to account for, you’ll find that your air emissions are higher during take-off. So avoid seats that are close to the engines or the wings if you want to reduce your overall emissions.