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)
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.