The age of jet-setting with abandon is over, we must assess the necessity of flights. COVID-19 has illuminated both the superfluous nature of business travel, and the economic dependence of many communities on international travellers. This article allows you to see for yourself the power or pollution your visit can have. 

Choosing alternative transport for short-haul journeys has a great environmental impact. Journeys 600 miles and shorter are incredibly carbon intensive, as a far higher proportion of the time spent in the air is within take off and landing.

For these smaller trips, trains, cars and buses are the best option for the climate. Slower, greener travel like the direct London to Edinburgh train, or the Eurostar to Amsterdam also have a romantic air about them that should be adopted with enthusiasm. 

As small a gesture as it may seem, packing a lighter suitcase has a significant impact on an aircraft’s CO2 production. Simply put, the more weight in the plane, the more fuel needed to fly.

“In fact, ​​if all passengers packed one less pair of shoes, or roughly 2 lbs/1kg, the aircraft’s fuel savings would be the same as taking 10,500 cars off the road for an entire year.” This adjustment extends to any equipment you may need; renting gear in your destination is far better than travelling with it. 

If all flights in the UK occurred during the day, the equivalent of 2.5% of the UK’s annual carbon dioxide emissions” would be saved. Contrails in the sky reflect sunlight in the daytime, sending some heat back into space. At night this heat is simply absorbed without redirection. 

You would be wrong to think each passenger aboard a plane shares the plane’s carbon footprint equally. Flying in economy class is far better for the planet than any other seat choice. While an economy passenger has “a carbon footprint of 0.76, a business class traveler has a figure of 2.30 and a first class passenger has a whopping 6.89 figure.”

This is due to the space that these seats take up. Fewer passengers can be transported per flight in first class, therefore each person at the front of the plane is carrying a higher proportion of the aircraft’s footprint, compared to those further back. Not only is economy class cheaper, it’s greener too! 

Not only does catching connecting flights mean you’re travelling a greater distance, but you’ll also greatly increase your emissions, as 25% of a plane’s fuel is used in take off. Flying on direct routes wherever possible is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint.

Flying in younger, more fuel-efficient planes is far better for the climate. While you can’t always help the plane you are boarding, choosing the right airline that is actively taking steps to increase the efficiency of its planes is a great start. 

It may seem like a small gesture, but an incredible amount of paper and ink would be saved if every one of the 4.3 billion air passengers did the swap. 

After your arrival, instead of opting for a taxi, choose public transport or electric car hire! These small changes allow you to continue your greener choices in your destination, to make sure you have as little environmental impact in the local community as possible. 

Changing how you fly, and how many flights you take is all part of a wider lifestyle change. “Flight-free campaigners will say if flying were a country it would be the world’s seventh largest carbon emitter. But, they do not mention that if cattle were a country, it would be the third largest.” 

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, always remember to be respectful. Bring the habits you use everyday with you to your destination, such as recycling and avoiding single-use plastics. The place you call your holiday destination is someone else’s home, so treat it with care.