Private Jet Carbon Footprint: Towards a Sustainable Future

Plenty has been written and said about private jet carbon footprint. From celebrities who are ferocious environmentalists to activists and the general public, there is an urgency in debating solutions rather than pointing fingers.

Ultimately, some industries are moving at a far speedier pace than others. Against all odds, private aviation is among the pioneers. Aware of its environmental impact, the search for sustainability is already well underway and may revolutionize how we fly in the near future.

In a world that got used to easy travel across continents and oceans, how can we now flip a switch and change technology to meet the limits of carbon emissions, and European policies and lead by example? Over the following few lines, we’ll let you know how private jets are on the verge of letting us all fly in a revolutionary way. Has the era of green private jets arrived, or is it all a utopia?

Aviation, overall, isn’t a clean industry. Still, it’s one of the earliest adopters of tech and innovative solutions in order to solve such issues. Travel back in time to the early 2000s and tell people about charging a car at their home and they’d laugh in your face.

Speaking of an electric private jet would deliver louder laughs, and to this day, the reception would probably leave many suspicious. Still, in late 2022 the first battery-powered commercial aircraft took off. With a capacity for up to 9 passengers and a range of 250 miles, it surely isn’t yet the answer to a London – New York flight, but it’s a revolutionary first step.

The accomplishment arrived through the capable hands of Eviation and its Alice aircraft model. It’s the beginning of the end to loud take-offs and landings, airfield operating hour limitations and a great step forward. This private jet carbon footprint is astonishing, even though we do admit there are solid grounds for those who criticise the lithium mining process.

Still and without embarking on such a discussion, the future is quite promising. With batteries rapidly developing, such as solid-state batteries, two of the biggest challenges of electric vehicles can soon be defeated: weight and limited capacity/range.

When technology can power an aircraft the size of an A380 and keep it in the air for a non-stop flight around the world, we’ll be before something astonishing. It’s unclear whether such will happen, but we like the idea of a silent, highly efficient aircraft, ideally powered by clean energy.

It’s impossible not to speak of hydrogen mobility without thinking of cars and Toyota’s stand on this particular technology. While brands such as Tesla propelled the EV forward with many others tagging along, Toyota decided there was more than one answer to the same problem. Here entered hydrogen.

While hydrogen still faces a few roadblocks of its own, those with their wheels on the ground can already enjoy zero-emission mobility. The result? Nothing but water. The Toyota Mirai is one of those incredible examples where technology can and will make anything happen.

While that’s true on the road, aviation giants such as Airbus aren’t wasting any time around to see what happens. The ZEROe concept aircraft already dreams of three incredible models: the Turbofan, Turboprop and futuristic Blended-Wing Body (BW). Commercial aircraft hydrogen-powered engines are expected to enter service by 2035. It may sound like a stretch, but these revolutionary solutions will forever change aviation.

An hydrogen private jet may not take so long and is already taking flight. It will deliver all the advantages of an internal combustion engine without producing any emissions.

We are aware of the point where we’re at. Electric mobility is far from consensual, as the production chain for lithium batteries is far from environmental-friendly. The same can still be said regarding hydrogen, where the amount of energy to deliver on its promise is still sky-rocket high.

However, we must do something and take a path leading somewhere better and definitely cleaner. The early days of any technological revolution will always face challenges. But how can we change the world if we refuse to take a step forward at a time?

One thing we’re certain: even the production of these world-changing options will become more sustainable and cheaper. It won’t happen overnight but can give us the chance to live in cities where pollution is beyond control and tamper further damage.

Those are principles worth fighting for, and considering the impact of aviation as we’ve grown to know it, the urgency can’t be understated.

Airlines have long been looking at ways to reduce weight. The aim is not innocently trying to make the world a better place. Less weight results in bigger fuel savings. Flight performance has therefore become a discipline in aviation, ensuring each stage of a flight is optimized to consume the least possible resources.

Some went as far as removing an olive from passenger food or opting for lightweight cutlery to save on weight. The bigger picture, which rules aviation overall, has long looked into saving kilos, translating into yearly tonnes. The next big step, however, is in the hands of cutting-edge tech.

Solar aircraft such as the Solar Impulse Aircraft prototypes may not become the rule to reduce private jet carbon footprint, but they are fascinating. We’ve seen huge advances in solar power in recent years, so we can’t rule out this tech yet. If it can already power our homes and industries, it may soon be a great ally in mobility.

One-engine taxis, hybrid systems and external air conditioning systems when parked are the norm. However, this hasn’t been the case for long. Sustainability is more welcome when it’s also good for business. Naturally, being able to produce electric private jets or hydrogen-powered engines will also mean bigger independence from the fluctuations in the price of fuel.

The urgency persists, but many ideas have already lifted off and those are fantastic news. It’s up to the market to follow up on these promises and deliver. Passengers who already support carbon offset programs will be excited to board the first sustainable private jet flights. We sure know we will.

We work with some of the most modern and sustainable operators in the private jet industry. They are not only early adopters of clean tech but also investors in these groundbreaking solutions. Our partnerships ensure that we’re all heading down a road where environmental sustainability is a priority.

Contact us today for your free private jet quote and enjoy a first-class service throughout all stages of your next trip. Whether for business, a family trip or to indulge in a unique experience, our team is always available to meet your needs in style.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Will private jet flights be sustainable in the near future?

Yes, at least all technological solutions point towards that direction. There are already biofuel options with reduced emissions, hybrid systems and fuel-saving procedures throughout all stages of a flight. However, we’re keen to see electric private jets and hydrogen-powered flights make an appearance in the next 10 years.

Is aviation sustainability achievable or only a cosmetic tendency?

It’s not easy to get tons of metal into the air and keep it there for hours on end. However, we’re optimistic that the same revolution that took place when the first flight came to be can be repeated with a huge technological leap. Zero-emission flights are indeed an area where millions of dollars are invested as we speak.

Is there an electric aircraft already?

Yes. Even though its range and passenger capacity aren’t yet enough to make it a viable replacement for large airliners and even private jets, it can already carry 9 people with a range of 250 miles. These are impressive numbers, even if they can’t serve the majority of uses. With further tech advancements, we expect an increase in both these metrics.

When will I fly in a zero-emission aircraft?

We would like to see the first zero-emission private jets come into service in less than a decade. There are promising advancements in technology to be optimistic about. Reducing private jet carbon footprint is a huge step toward making legacy air travel even more appealing.