Carbon-Offset Flights: What Are They, and How Can You Take Them?

Most people have probably heard about the large carbon footprints associated with flying, which may have made them pause while thinking about how that travel method doesn’t align with their efforts to live more sustainably. However, many travelers don’t have another viable option but to reach their destinations by air. Perhaps they take lots of essential work trips or live on an island. 

Airlines are aware that the carbon footprints associated with flying make some people uncomfortable. That’s why many have introduced carbon-offset flights. What are they, and how much impact do they have on the environmental downsides of traveling by air?

What Are Carbon-Offset Flights?

People who take carbon-offset flights pay slightly more for their tickets, with the extra amount going to efforts that supposedly compensate for the emissions associated with their plane journeys, such as greener cooking methods or planted trees. Those actions usually occur in developing countries, so verifying the extent of those measures or their impacts is not always easy or possible. 

Some airlines also have carbon calculators that allow people to calculate their estimated footprints based on journey length, whether the flight is a one-way trip or return, and a passenger’s travel class. Then, travelers can either input their selected carbon-offset donation, or — more commonly, the airline provides an amount that gets tacked onto their flight costs. People choose whether to pay it at that point. 

The extra is often a modest amount, sometimes only a few dollars. Since it is so small, many people breathe sighs of relief, thinking that by deciding to pay it, they have canceled out the negative environmental impacts of their trips. 

Carbon-offset airports are less common options. However, they allow the same arrangement regardless of the airline someone uses. 

Unfortunately, numerous examples have emerged that show carbon-offset flights are not as effective as climate-conscious travelers would hope. In addition to the impact-tracking difficulties already described, investigations have revealed that the money did not go to the promised causes, and organizations sometimes used it for activities that harm the environment. Relatedly, airlines have received scrutiny for using exaggerated language to mislead people about the supposed benefits of their carbon-offset flights. 

Finding Carbon-Offset Flights

Despite the well-documented downsides of carbon-offset flights, some people still wish to take them, deciding that doing something to make their travel greener is better than nothing. 

Many people book carbon-offset flights directly through their chosen airlines. This most commonly happens when travelers see boxes to check that allow them to pay an additional specified amount for carbon offsetting. Sometimes, they can also click a link to learn more about where the money goes. 

Similarly, sites such as Expedia allow people to search for sustainable flights by tweaking various parameters. There are also third-party providers specializing in carbon-offset flights, such as FlyGRN. Those companies send you physical carbon-offset certificates. 

Although finding these flights directly through airlines is the most straightforward option, some people prefer the other possibilities. For example, an administrative professional booking work trips for a team may wish to select one of the companies that distributes carbon-offset certificates because those documents provide evidence to support a company’s sustainability efforts. 

It may seem like carbon-offset travel is the way of the future, especially since people are more aware of the environmental impacts of flying. However, even once airlines begin offering them, some executives determine it is not worthwhile to continue. 

Such was the case with Irish-based budget airline Ryanair. The company’s CEO said only 3% of travelers had opted for carbon-offset flights, and the option is no longer available. He also declined to comment regarding the total emissions reduction achieved by those who chose this option. 

Alternatives to Sustainable Flights Through Offsetting

With the legitimacy of sustainable flights in question, what else can concerned travelers do to shrink their carbon footprints? One option is to donate directly to a reputable environmental organization to partially compensate for the emissions issues associated with flying. That won’t eliminate that, but it gives donors more control over where the money goes and how people use it, as long as those interested do sufficient research to learn about the organizations first. 

Another option is to prioritize lower-emissions travel, especially after reaching one’s destination. The shortest flight music superstar Taylor Swift took in a year was only 36 minutes. That illustrates how people with the most financial means may see flying as the easiest, fastest option, even when alternatives exist. Some people — including celebrities — have no choice but to fly. But it’s ideal for them to look for greener options in other situations. 

Additionally, flying economy results in a smaller carbon footprint than a seat in business class. That’s because the premium options give people nicer, heavier seats, and more space, along with more perks. Those things all make carbon footprints larger. 

Someone who flies frequently for work may wish to speak to their supervisor about strategically cutting down that travel. Perhaps they have attended the same tech conference every year for the last five years. Then, they might propose skipping this year or getting there via alternative means of transportation, if they exist. 

Eliminating flights is not feasible for most people. However, these examples show other options are possible. 

View Greener Flights as Ongoing Goals

Many people feel guilty after learning about the carbon footprint of air travel and realizing they cannot quit flying. However, guilt can become unhealthy and unproductive. Some beneficial ways to fight it are to progressively seek greener travel options and take steps such as those mentioned above to make gradual, positive changes. 

Engineers and others in the air travel industry are developing and testing options such as electric-powered planes, greener fuels and new body styles that cut emissions. However, until — and even after — those become mainstream, travelers should do their part to find ways to continue exploring the world as sustainably as possible. 

FAQs 

Do Carbon-Offset Flights Sufficiently Reduce the Negative Environmental Impacts of Air Travel?

Probably not. An often-mentioned criticism is that it’s difficult or impossible to track or verify the impacts of that supposedly greener travel method, and some people point out that it distracts travelers and airline executives from engaging in more effective options. 

Do Carbon-Offset Flights Require Special Planes?

No. The commercial air providers offering them operate the same planes and routes but allow customers to pay slightly more for their travel, with the money going to climate-centered causes that reduce emissions. 

Can People Take Carbon-Offset Flights on Any Airline?

No. Airlines decide whether to offer them based on numerous factors, such as customer demand or existing partnerships with organizations engaged in emissions-reducing efforts.