Variation in Aviation Emissions by Itinerary: The Case for Emissions Disclosure
The authors analyze carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions of itineraries on popular domestic air routes in the United States in 2019. The analysis discovers that the least-polluting itinerary generates 63% less CO₂ emissions than the most-polluting, and 22% less than the average. But the identification of itineraries with lower emissions is complex. Nonstop flights using fuel-efficient aircraft are likely to generate lower emissions, but there are many exceptions due to differing operational procedures. The authors also assess the relationship between emissions and ticket prices. Air travelers can find lower-emission itineraries even when limiting their searches to cheaper tickets. Mostly, emissions from cheaper itineraries are likely to be lower than average. The results suggest that choice of itineraries with lower emissions will not be more costly for air travelers, and that travelers would benefit from disclosures of emissions when purchasing tickets. Such disclosures can help with demand for low-emission flights, but cooperation is needed between regulators, airlines, travel web sites, and environmental organizations. Climate-informed choices by travelers could also speed up the decarbonization of air travel from the supply side, as airlines recognize the financial advantages of offering more options for low-emission itineraries.
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- Summary URL:
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Corporate Authors:
International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT)
1500 K Street NW, Suite 650
Washington, DC United States 20005 -
Authors:
- Zheng, Xinyi Sola
- Rutherford, Dan
- Publication Date: 2021-7
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Features: Figures; Maps; Tables;
- Pagination: 16p
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Aircraft exhaust gases; Carbon dioxide; Consumer preferences; Itinerary; Travel costs
- Geographic Terms: United States
- Subject Areas: Aviation; Environment; Finance;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01782381
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Sep 22 2021 12:03PM