The Flight Saw a 64% Reduction in CO₂e When Compared to a Standard Journey From London

The use of renewable or carbon recycling waste products, as used in the 100% SAF blend of Flight100, delivered a reduction in end-to-end carbon emissions when compared to fossil fuels. 

The Flight100 team conducted a comparative CO2e end-to-end Lifecycle Assessment (LCA), using 49 Boeing 787-9s flights between London Heathrow and New York JFK as a baseline to understand the typical carbon emission profile in tonnes. This included the emissions caused by passenger journeys to the airport, cargo activities, and fuel burn.

This baseline CO2e profile came in at 154 tonnes – of which 96% relate to Jet A-1 use. Comparatively, the use of Flight100 SAF reduced CO2e by 95 tonnes – a 64% reduction from the baseline. This includes not just the use of SAF but also the operational efficiencies that were implemented on the day such as replacing single-use plastic wraps on blankets in Premium and Economy cabins with a paper band.

However, a detailed LCA of the environmental impact of the trialled in-flight efficiencies, namely the trade-off between using renewable materials and the waste caused by them, uncovered a surprising result. The paper blanket wraps had a higher carbon footprint than the products they replaced. Plus, replacing plastic cups with a reusable alternative would contribute an additional 345 tonnes of CO2e per year due to extra weight causing a 5.5x increase in fuel burn.

SAF Produced 40% Fewer Particulates Compared to Jet A-1 Fuel

Led by Imperial College London and Sheffield University, an analysis of particulate emissions was carried out to see what non-CO2 impacts were caused as a result of SAF use.

Through lab testing 100% SAF through a “proxy engine” to simulate real-life fuel combustion, scientists were able to measure the emission of particulates such as sulphur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).

Using Jet A-1 and 100% HEFA fuels as a comparison with the Flight100 SAF blend, the tests suggested a reduction in both the number and size of particulate emissions. Indeed, HEFA showed a 70% reduction in the number of particulates when compared to Jet A-1 and the Flight100 blend a 40% reduction. 

In addition to these findings, Flight100 SAF showed a 1% calorific value increase in energy measurement tests when compared to Jet A-1. What this points to is: a) potentially less fuel would be needed to power flights and; b) a reduction in CO2e emissions beyond fuel savings due to improved energy output. 

A 1% margin might sound small, but it represents a saving of approximately 1 million tonnes of CO2e in the context of the worldwide SAF target of 10% by 2030. In the case of the Flight100 route from London to New York, this 1% equated to around 0.35 less tonnes of fuel used.

In Conclusion

The evaluation of Flight100 demonstrated that using 100% SAF instead of traditional fossil fuels can be viable in the future. However, this viability comes with a few caveats: SAF alternatives need to be readily available to use and affordable for airlines.

In this sense, Flight100 showed that the key challenges surrounding the adoption of SAF are not operational – the 40% reduction in particulates and 64% reduction in CO2e production when compared to Jet A-1 fuel is a convincing argument for this claim.

In the meantime, Virgin Atlantic has committed to a 15% net reduction in CO2e emissions by 2030, a pledge which also includes operating 10% of their fleeton SAF.

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Duty of Care

As any TMC or travel booker worth their salt knows, ensuring that a journey complies with obligations of Duty of Care is one of the most important aspects of any business trip. These obligations were cemented by the publishing of the ISO 31030 Travel Risk Management standard in 2021, a global benchmark for businesses seeking to understand and prepare for situations involving risk.

Indeed, a large proportion of respondents to the ITM survey revealed that Duty of Care is one of their top travel priorities in 2024. The suggestion is that travel buyers are keen to build a watertight risk management plan, a need which TMCs can satisfy with the offering of expert advice and guidance about the process.

Budget Control

Learning how to effectively manage a travel budget is one of the most important skills in a travel booker’s arsenal. It’s not just about knowing how much you have to spend; the most successful business travel programmes are built upon years of knowledge in managing costs to maximise the traveller experience.

Indeed, the ITM survey revealed that suppliers were concerned by rising costs due to inflation and further economic uncertainty in 2024. Respondents revealed that corporate travel budgets are set to be tightened, while there is concern about talent shortages, recruitment, and training new staff.

These concerns are regularly communicated to us too. In an episode of our Travel Talks webinar about the importance of controlling business travel costs, we spoke about the benefits of advance booking, offered advice about negotiating corporate fares, and told of the importance of winning the hearts and minds of business travellers.

In Conclusion

The ITM Trending Survey offers a tempting glimpse into the priorities that will shape the decisions of travel buyers and suppliers in 2024.

As highlighted by the survey, the optimisation of Online Booking Tools (OBTs) is one of the most pressing concerns. OBTs face scrutiny for their ability to deliver full content and meet the diverse needs of modern business travellers and dissatisfaction with features underscores the urgency for enhancement in this critical area.

Duty of Care emerges as another paramount focus, reflecting the heightened importance of risk management in the wake of the ISO 31030 Travel Risk Management standard. Travel buyers seek to fortify their risk management plans, relying on Travel Management Companies (TMCs) to provide expert guidance and support.

Access to full content remains a persistent challenge, with buyers expressing a need for comprehensive travel data, including content from the New Distribution Capacity (NDC). Meanwhile, effective budget control emerges as a skill of increasing significance, particularly in the face of rising costs, inflation, and economic uncertainty.

Sustainability takes a prominent position in the priorities of both buyers and suppliers too, reflecting a growing awareness of environmental concerns. The survey indicates an increasing demand for suppliers to comply with carbon emission reporting, signalling a shift towards more sustainable travel practices.

In essence, the ITM survey provides a roadmap for stakeholders in the business travel industry, guiding them towards strategic decisions that align with the evolving needs and expectations of modern travellers. As we approach 2024, the emphasis on technology optimisation, duty of care, content access, budget control, and sustainability underscores the industry’s commitment to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing global landscape.

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How You Can Benefit from MaaS

Effortless Planning

With MaaS, individuals can effortlessly plan their journeys using a single application. The hassle of checking different schedules, routes, and modes of transport is eliminated, making travel planning smoother.

Time Savings

By providing real-time updates on transportation options and routes, MaaS can help individuals save valuable time that would otherwise be spent waiting for connections or stuck in traffic. Plus, with access to extensive travel data, businesses can optimise office locations, working hours, and other operational aspects.

Cost Savings

MaaS platforms often offer cost-effective options for combining different modes of transport. Users can avoid the expenses associated with private car ownership, such as fuel, maintenance, and parking fees. In fact, companies situated in urban centers often face higher parking costs. By encouraging employees to use MaaS, businesses can drastically reduce parking demand and associated expenses.

Personalised Travel

MaaS platforms can tailor travel recommendations based on individual preferences, making each journey more comfortable and tailored to the traveller’s needs. Businesses can also adopt MaaS to offer their employees comprehensive transportation solutions. This can include subsidising public transport passes, rideshare credits, or bike-sharing memberships.

Environmental Conciousness

Individuals can contribute to environmental sustainability by opting for eco-friendly modes of transport suggested by the MaaS platform, thus reducing their carbon footprint. This applies to businesses too. By taking proactive steps towards reducing the environmental impact of travel, companies stand to gain a greener reputation and attract environmentally-conscious customers and partners.

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Stay Connected While You Fly

United Wi-Fi

United offers Wi-Fi on all mainline aircraft and two-cabin regional aircraft. Customers can purchase a United Wi-Fi plan onboard to gain full internet access.

Free Messaging Plan

Activate the free messaging plan on all Wi-Fi equipped aircraft*. The plan allows customers to send and receive text messages using most apps that send messages across Wi-Fi (such as iMessage, WhatsApp, etc.)

*Except select 757s, 767s and 787s.

You can find out more about United’s green credentials with some of their recent Press Releases:

• March 29, 2023 – United Announces $15 Million Investment in Carbon Capture Company Svante
• March 13, 2023 – From Sea to the Sky: United Invests $5 Million in Algae-based Fuel Producer Viridos
• February 21, 2023 – United Rallies Businesses and Consumers with New, First-of-its-Kind $100+ Million Sustainable Flight Fund
• November 15, 2022 – United Becomes First U.S. Airline to Invest in Biofuel Refinery
• September 8^, 2022 – United Invests Another $15 Million in Electric Flying Taxi Market with Eve

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1. Cycling

The ultimate person-powered vehicle since 1817, bicycles are an extremely green alternative to almost every other form of transportation. Although carbon is emitted during the manufacturing process of a commercial bicycle, riding one produces absolutely zero pollution, and the CO2 cost of their production is quickly offset.

Cycling to and from meetings, particularly in urban environments, is brilliantly cost-effective and healthy to boot. It’s a great option for business travellers who are looking for a truly carbon neutral experience. Plus, with over 1040 bicycle-sharing systems across the world*, there’s plenty of choice.

*According to a collection from Wikipedia

3. Car Sharing

Car sharing has been a staple of the workplace commute for decades. There’s nothing better than getting picked up by a colleague and sitting tight as they drive you to work, even if their music taste leaves a lot to be desired. 

Car sharing is a fantastic option for businesses that need to get multiple employees to a local meeting or conference while keeping their carbon emissions low. It’s super  straightforward – if one employee fills a standard 5-seater car with his or her colleagues, the business has immediately taken four other cars off the road. 

It might be simple, but the difference is huge. According to a 2019 study from BEIS, a car with one passenger accounts for 130g more CO2 emissions per kilometre than a car with four passengers.

5. Video Conferencing

Modal shifts are not always about changing the way you get from A to B. Sometimes they can be used to eliminate travel altogether. When arranging a meeting, think about whether it is essential it is carried out in person. Can you conduct your business over video conferencing software instead?

Obviously travelling for meetings is an important and often necessary part of business, and it is unlikely to ever go away, but sometimes it can make more sense to stay home and set up a conference call instead.

It’s pretty green too. According to a CO2 calculator from Utility Bidder, two people meeting on an HD quality Zoom call for an hour produces 0.23kg of CO2, equivalent to driving 1.2 miles in a petrol car.

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A carbon footprint is a measure of the total amount of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, that are emitted as a result of human activities such as transportation, energy use, and production processes. It is usually expressed in metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). When we talk about carbon footprint, we are referring to the negative impact that our actions have on the environment. For example, flying is one of the most carbon-intensive activities we can undertake, and it is estimated that a single long-haul flight can produce more carbon emissions than the average person in some developing countries generates in a year.

On the other hand, a carbon handprint is the positive impact we can make on the environment through our actions. A carbon handprint is the measurement of the amount of carbon dioxide that is prevented from being released into the atmosphere as a result of our actions. For example, a business that invests in renewable energy, such as wind or solar power, is creating a positive carbon handprint by reducing its carbon footprint and preventing the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

One company’s carbon handprint helps reduce the carbon footprint of another.

The concept of a carbon handprint is relatively new, and it is not yet as widely understood as the concept of a carbon footprint. However, it is important for businesses to take both into account when considering their environmental impact. By focusing solely on reducing their carbon footprint, businesses may miss opportunities to create a positive impact on the environment through their actions.

For businesses in the travel industry, the impact of carbon emissions is particularly significant. Travel and tourism account for around 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and this figure is set to rise as the industry continues to grow. Business travel, in particular, is a major contributor to carbon emissions, with air travel being the most carbon-intensive mode of transport. It is estimated that business travel accounts for around 12% of all flights taken, and this figure is expected to continue to rise.

Reducing carbon emissions from business travel is therefore crucial, but it is not enough to focus solely on reducing the carbon footprint of business travel. Businesses also need to consider the potential positive impact they can have through their actions. For example, a business that invests in renewable energy to power its offices and facilities is creating a positive carbon handprint by reducing its carbon footprint and preventing the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Another way that businesses can create a positive carbon handprint is by promoting sustainable and responsible travel practices among their employees. For example, businesses can encourage employees to use videoconferencing and other digital technologies to reduce the need for travel. They can also provide incentives for employees who choose to travel by public transport, bicycle, or on foot rather than by car or plane.

Understanding the difference between a carbon footprint and a carbon handprint is crucial for businesses, especially those in the travel industry and those who travel for work, to take effective steps towards sustainable and responsible practices. While reducing carbon emissions is important, businesses also need to consider the positive impact they can have through their actions. By investing in renewable energy, promoting sustainable travel practices, and ensuring your travel policy reflects and rewards good corporate citizenship, you can give a helping hand – your carbon hand(print) – to the wider environment.

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SAF is a type of biofuel that is produced through a process called hydroprocessing. In this process, the biomass is first converted into a synthesis gas, which is a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The synthesis gas is then processed to produce SAF, which is then blended with conventional aviation fuel to create a drop-in fuel that can be used in existing aircraft and fuelling infrastructure.

One of the main benefits of SAF is that it has a lower carbon footprint compared to traditional aviation fuels. The carbon emissions produced during the production of SAF are offset by the carbon uptake of the biomass used to produce it, resulting in lower net carbon emissions compared to conventional aviation fuels. This means that using SAF can help to reduce the carbon emissions associated with air travel, which is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions.

However, while SAF is considered to be a greener alternative to traditional aviation fuels, there are some concerns about the environmental impact of its production and use. For example, there is the issue of ensuring that the biomass used for SAF production is sustainably sourced and produced in a way that does not result in deforestation or other negative environmental impacts. Additionally, there are concerns about the impact of sourcing biomass for fuel production on land use and food security, as large amounts of land and resources may be needed to produce sufficient quantities of SAF to meet demand.

Another concern about the use of SAF for business travel is that it may not actually be much greener than traditional aviation fuels. This is because the production of SAF requires a significant amount of energy and resources, and there is the potential for significant greenhouse gas emissions to be produced during the production process. Additionally, the production of SAF requires the use of chemicals and other hazardous materials, which can have negative environmental impacts.

While SAF has the potential to be a greener alternative to traditional aviation fuels, there are still some significant environmental concerns associated with its production and use. For example, there is the issue of ensuring that the biomass used for SAF production is sustainably sourced and produced in a way that does not result in deforestation or other negative environmental impacts. Additionally, there is the potential for significant greenhouse gas emissions to be produced during the production process, and the use of chemicals and other hazardous materials may have negative environmental impacts.

Overall, while SAF may be a promising solution for reducing the carbon emissions associated with air travel, it is important to consider the full life-cycle impacts of its production and use to truly assess its environmental sustainability. This includes considering the impact of sourcing biomass for fuel production on land use and food security, as well as the potential for significant greenhouse gas emissions to be produced during the production process.

In the context of business travel, it is important for companies to consider the environmental impact of their travel choices, and to choose the most sustainable options available. This may mean choosing to fly on airlines that use SAF or other biofuels, or choosing to reduce the number of flights taken, or even to explore alternative forms of transportation such as trains or videoconferencing.

SAF certainly has the potential to be a greener alternative to traditional aviation fuels, but it is important to consider the full life-cycle impacts of its production and use to truly assess its environmental sustainability.

In My Opinion…

I taken a keen interest in the topic of SAF and, having studied the BTA’s report, I feel we must question the viability and knock-on impact of Sustainable Aviation Fuel development to the wider society and environment. For me the following paragraphs featured in this important document are key:

The production of SAF uses a lot of land and resources, creating issues surrounding food security, deforestation (!), water, and land use. This may result in competition for land used for other needs like food and housing.

Furthermore, despite the positive impact SAF has on the environment, the production and harvest of these feedstocks threatens other industries. For example, cooking oils are often used for livestock feed, or the paper industry which relies heavily on forestry waste.

Competition for the latter threatens overexploitation, threatening the natural environment. Taking crop wastes off the land solely to produce SAF means lower organic matter being returned into the soil, therefore reducing the fertility and structure of the soil, which then limits the use of that land after its harvest.

The concept of SAF is good, however looking through all the noise and posturing (mostly by people invested into SAF themselves), I can only see a limit of what can be produced in the precious and agricultural land space available. The competition for land will drive up food prices and availability. Also, as the BTA’s report says, the SAF crops damage the soil structure which requires a very complex balancing act by farms.

The question is: what’s the alternative though, given new technology isn’t yet available?

Is SAF really the panacea for the travel industry and is anyone providing the alternative balance to the argument?

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International Human Solidarity Day has been developed as part of the UN’s new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda.

Find out more about the initiative on the UN website.

It’s strong evidence that building a diverse workforce not only makes for a better, fairer future for all, but can directly boost business success. Put simply, inclusivity is a win-win for all involved.

However you choose to celebrate, we’re with you!

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