This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
United Airlines put the spotlight on the environment last week with its “Flight for the Planet” Chicago O’Hare to Los Angeles. The airline used the flight to demonstrate measures the industry can take to be more sustainable, including carbon offsetting, using biofuel and a zero cabin waste effort.
Passengers aboard the flight received a meal service with disposable items switched with recyclable, compostable or reusable alternatives. Plastic lids were swapped for beeswax, and plastic cutlery was replaced with compostable forks and knives. The airline also debuted an all-paper hot-beverage cup, an industry first, according to United.
United’s “Eco-Skies” liveried Boeing 737-900ER was used for the one-time environmentally focused service, which averaged 77 passenger miles per gallon for the trip. The pilots attempted to keep the plane’s environmental impact even lower through single-engine taxiing and a continuous descent, both of which are methods to reduce fuel consumption and noise pollution.
The biofuel for the flight was purchased from World Energy, a fuel company based in Boston and one of United’s fuel partners. This biofuel generates 60% less greenhouse gas emissions than traditional jet fuel over the course of a plane’s lifetime, the airline says. United currently uses a mix of biofuel and jet fuel to power many of its flights, including all departures from Los Angeles (LAX), its so-called “Eco-Hub” and the Flight for the Planet’s destination.
USA Today reports that the airline did not reach its zero waste goal for the flight event, as passengers created 14 pounds of garbage during their journey. Still, many airlines are trying to lower their environmental impact wherever possible, and efforts like United’s one-off flight demonstrate multiple routes the industry may take to adapt and become more green.
Related: Air France Wants to Eliminate 210 Million Single-Use Plastic Items by the End of 2019
Overall, United’s effort comes as the travel industry at large is looking to burnish its green credentials amid growing awareness about the impact of travel on the environment. Aside from biofuels, airlines and other travel companies have gone public with other environmentally friendly moves, such as an effort by some to phase out singe-use plastics.
Know before you go.
News and deals straight to your inbox every day.
NEW INCREASED OFFER: 60,000 Points
TPG'S BONUS VALUATION*: $1,200
CARD HIGHLIGHTS: 2X points on all travel and dining, points transferrable to over a dozen travel partners
*Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer. View our latest valuations here.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Chase Sapphire Preferred named "Best Credit Card for Flexible Travel Redemption" - Kiplinger's Personal Finance, June 2018
- 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- No foreign transaction fees
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel
- No blackout dates or travel restrictions - as long as there's a seat on the flight, you can book it through Chase Ultimate Rewards
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
