How to Reduce your Carbon Footprint when Flying

Firstly, an acknowledgement – currently, all flying is pretty bad for the environment….

With this in mind, at Kagumu Adventures, we are continuously investigating how we can reduce the impact of our trips with a big focus on reducing our carbon footprint. 

We know that flying is by far the biggest emitter and, whilst we are pushing for technology to advance and produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and for governments to take action, we want to share some ways you can lower your emissions through smart flying choices.

In this guide, we have 6 practical tips for choosing more sustainable flights for your next adventure.

Your first, and arguably most, impactful decision in responsible travel is how to arrive at your destination. 

Whilst officially air travel accounts for approximately 2.5% of global CO2 emissions, some experts like Stefan Gössling, who specialises in sustainability of tourism, transport & mobilities, argues that it could in fact be three times higher due to additional toxic emissions. A single long-haul flight can generate more carbon than some people produce in an entire year! 

But if travelling by land isn’t possible, making careful choices on how you fly can still make a difference. 

6 Top Tips for Reducing your Carbon Footprint

1. Fly Direct Whenever Possible

Take-offs and landings consume the most fuel during a flight. By choosing direct flights, you can significantly reduce your carbon emissions and have a more relaxed journey. 

Real Example: An economy return flight from New York to Bogotá with a stopover in Panama produces approximately 1,655 kg CO₂ per passenger, while a direct flight generates 1,454 kg CO₂ – a 13% reduction. (Calculated using Atmosfair)

2. Consider Your Seating Class

Your choice of seating class has a substantial impact on your flight’s carbon footprint:

• Economy class generates the lowest emissions per passenger.
• Business class produces approximately 2-3 times more emissions than economy.
• First class can generate up to 4 times the emissions of economy,

No Business or First Class flights is one of Kagumu’s guiding sustainability policies.

3. Choose the Most Eco-Friendly Airlines for Latin American Routes

Whilst slow moving (slow technology and a rapid growth in demand), airlines are making commitments to become more sustainable, some more than others. Here are our top choices: 

USA to Latin America:

United Airlines – is a leader in SAF investment and usage; committed to net-zero emissions by 2050 without relying solely on carbon offsets. 

JetBlue –  are working towards net zero emissions by 2040 – a decade earlier than many airlines, relying on SAF, partnerships and fuel efficiency to get there. The company is introducing 70 Airbus 220s, bringing up to a 40% improvement in fuel economy per seat.

Delta Air Lines – aim to procure over 400 million gallons of SAF annually by the end of 2030, build a fleet of planes to improve fuel efficiency and in 2023 launched the Delta Sustainable Skies Lab to focus on research, design and testing.  

Europe to Latin America:

Air France-KLM – top-ranked airline in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index; committed to 5% SAF use by 2030; operates efficient Boeing 787s and Airbus A350s on routes to Brazil, Chile, and Colombia. This company comes top of many lists for sustainability.

Lufthansa – comprehensive sustainability program including carbon offsetting, SAF investment, and operation of A350s on routes to Mexico City, Bogotá, and São Paulo.

British Airways – has pledged to use 10% SAF by 2030.

Latin American Carriers:

LATAM Airlines – ranked as the most sustainable airline in Latin America; committed to carbon neutrality by 2050; it operates one of the youngest fleets in the region with fuel-efficient aircrafts. 

For a comprehensive list of the most sustainable airlines, have a look at Atmosfair Airline Index.

4. Choose Newer Aircraft Models (if possible)

Modern aircraft like the Airbus A320neo, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and Airbus A350 are significantly more fuel-efficient than older models.

Top Eco-Friendly Aircraft in Latin America:

• LATAM’s Airbus A320neo fleet – 20% less fuel consumption than previous models.
• Azul’s Embraer E2 jets – 25% reduction in carbon emissions per seat.
• Avianca’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners – 25% more fuel-efficient than comparable aircraft.

5. Use Carbon Footprint Calculators

When booking your flights, use tools that show the carbon footprint of different options:

• Atmosfair is a well respected platform that offers an easy breakdown of flight emissions.
• Google Flights displays emissions estimates and highlights lower-carbon options.
• Kayak offers a carbon emissions filter.
• Skyscanner includes eco-friendly flight labels.
• RouteZero is an easy to use tool and offers clear examples of the most efficient and sustainable routes. Also great for day to day travel!

6. Consider Carbon Offsetting (but with caution!)

While not a perfect solution, once you have maximised the above suggestions, carbon offsetting can help mitigate your flight’s impact:

• Independent organizations like Gold Standard and Climate Action Reserve provide verified offsetting projects.
• Look at supporting carbon mitigation and carbon capture technology programmes. We support Tomorrow’s Air as part of this.
• Kagumu Recommendation: Choose offsets that support conservation projects in Latin America.

By making thoughtful choices about how you fly, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint while still experiencing the magic of Latin America.