Is a private jet rental worse for the environment than a commercial flight? The answer is: it’s complicated.
Generally speaking, a private jet is smaller than a commercial airliner, which automatically means fewer emissions. However, because there are fewer passengers on a private jet, the carbon footprint per person is much larger.
This is where much of the controversy enters the conversation. Private jet travel has become a central focal point for environmentalists, serving as a symbol of waste, greed, and global warming. Everyone from the Royal Family to CEOs to billionaire celebrities have been spotted using a private jet at some point, and have received plenty of bad press for their decision.
But what isn’t as commonly discussed is the fact that despite private jets being accused of contributing to global warming, they’re also a viable part of the solution.
For starters, it’s often in private jets that supplies are delivered to disaster areas. Case in point: after the earthquake in Haiti, there were roughly 715 private flights rescuing people from the island and bringing more than 1 million pounds of supplies to relief efforts.
Another theory that’s been mentioned is that private jet travel can also alleviate the planet-damaging effects of mass tourism. By giving greater access to more places around the world, remote locations can better benefit from tourism while popular destinations can mitigate the effects of excessive visitation.
In addition, those traveling by private jet are more likely to spend significantly more money in their travel destinations than the casual traveler. These funds go back into the local economy that can help with conservation efforts, recycling programs, or other green initiatives that the destination has created.
As travelers, we must acknowledge that it’s not always possible for us to choose the most eco-friendly method of traveling. Instead, we can commit ourselves to making our choice as sustainable and green as possible, regardless of the method we choose.
At Access Jet Group, we are committed to making your trip as eco friendly as possible. Here are a few best practices that we follow to offset your carbon footprint without sacrifice.
Choose an Eco-Friendlier Jet
Like cars, some private aircraft are designed to maximize their fuel efficiency. of course, this isn’t an attribute that many people would think to ask about unless they were aircraft enthusiasts to begin with. If you’re working with a reputable jet charter broker, your representative should be able to recommend different aircraft that provide a more eco-friendly solution.
Request Sustainable Items on Board
Every effort to help the environment is a step in the right direction, no matter how great or small. If you’re concerned about making your flight more eco-friendly, you can always request sustainable items to be brought on board your flight, such as tree-free paper towels or eco-friendly toilet paper. Our concierge service can help arrange sustainable items upon your request, so don’t hesitate to ask.
Contact the Access Jet Group team today for pricing and availability, along with other ways that you can make every aspect of your private jet travel more eco-friendly.