US Airlines Are Getting Worse at Emitting CO2, Study Says
Airlines around the globe are failing to significantly reduce their carbon emissions, a new environmental report shows.
US airlines in particular dropped several spots overall in a list of international airlines' CO2 emission, compared to 2017's numbers.
Aviation accounts for about 2% of the world's overall carbon dioxide emissions, according to the UN's International Civil Aviation Organization. CO2 directly contributes to global warming. According to the new study, from German environmental nonprofit organization Atmosfair, no airline in the world reached the top level of carbon emission reduction, dubbed "level A" in the report; just two carriers reached the second-highest level, "B," mainly because their fleets are fuel efficient and more environmentally friendly than some older gas guzzling commercial planes.
The levels of environmental efficiency range from A to G, with G being the worst possible ranking. There were a total of 125 airlines scored. Low-cost carriers were ranked separately, as their business models differ from mainstream carriers and "renders them not-comparable to other airlines" regarding carbon emissions, the study said.
"Airlines which achieve the best results are those using modern equipment, having high seating density and high rates of passenger occupancy and load utilization," Atmosfair said in its report, which was released on Monday. So even though increasingly cramped seating might frustrate you on flights, it could ultimately be better for the environment.
To tabulate the rankings, Atmosfair used data from ICAO to "calculate the CO2 per net load kilometer for each flight based on aircraft type, engine, seat and cargo capacity and load factor."
Taking the top spot as the most fuel efficient airline is the UK's TUI Airways. It snagged the highest ranking because it "flies consistently with highly efficient aircraft (e.g., B737-800)," the report says. "Seating reaches almost maximum capacity. Combined with very high occupancy rates, even compared to the previous year, TUI Airways scores winning points."
All US airlines' rankings got worse, as compared to last year's list.
Alaska Airlines was the only US carrier to crack the top 25 of the most climate-friendly airlines, tied with Shandong Airlines, Sichuan Airlines and Thai Airways International for No. 22 with a level C ranking. It dropped several spots from 2017's list, on which it scored the No. 14 spot.
Other US airlines fared even worse in the report. Delta Air Lines scored a level D ranking and clocked in at No. 45 on the overall list, falling from No. 41 last year. United also earned level D status, coming in at No. 50 on the list, likewise falling nine spots from last year's ranking of No. 41. Hawaiian Airlines fell one spot to No. 57 and a level D environmental tier.
It's also worth noting that the regional subsidiaries of all the major US carriers scored significantly worse across the board (Delta Connection and United Express scored Fs, Alaska Horizon got a D). This is likely because the aircraft operating on shorter regional routes are less fuel efficient.
American Airlines was the only US carrier to actually improve its CO2 pollution score, nabbing the No. 58 ranking in 2018's list, up from No. 66 in 2017 (though it was still in the level D tier). AA was able to move up eight slots due to "high occupancy on long-haul flights in combination with more efficient aircraft," the study says. AA has been phasing out its older and less fuel efficient MD-80s in favor of more fuel efficient planes, particularly the Airbus A320, Boeing B737-800 and B777.
Bringing up the rear of the mainstream carriers was South African Airlink at No. 125 and a level G ranking.
Among the low-cost carriers, US airlines Frontier, Southwest and Spirit received level C rankings, while JetBlue and Allegiant were placed in the D level. Budget airlines were not given a numerical rank.
Many of these airlines have so-called "carbon offset" programs that are said to decrease their carbon footprints — usually by a customer donation to a chosen environmental initiative that helps to reduce CO2 emissions.
Below are the top-10 most carbon-friendly airlines in the world.
Top 10 Most Climate-Efficient Airlines:
1. TUI Airways(UK)
2. LATAM Airlines Brasil (Brazil)
3. China West Air (China)
4. TUIfly (Germany)
5. Transavia France (France)
6. SunExpress (Turkey)
7. Thomas Cook Airlines (UK)
8. Air Europa Express (Spain)
9. Condor Flugdienst (Germany)
10. Juneyao Airlines (China)
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.