A row of economy class seats in an airplane.

Economy class tickets only

  • Business travel

Adopt an economy class only policy for airline tickets.

Why is business travel important?

Transport has the highest reliance on fossil fuels of any sector and accounted for 37% of CO2 emissions from end‐use sectors in 2021 (1). Almost 40% of particulate matter (PM2.5) comes from transport (2). Business and professional travel account for 15% of travel globally. (3)(4) The share of international travel by air has increased from 46% in 2000 to 58% in 2018, while international land transport has decreased from 49% to 39% in the same period (train travel representing 2% in 2018).
 
Business travel is one of the greatest contributors to an organisation’s carbon footprint. This is especially true for the aid sector, which provides assistance worldwide. Meetings, training, missions, evacuations, home leave – people travel for many reasons.

What is the solution?

If a flight is unavoidable, more fuel-efficient journeys must be preferred. Great reductions to carbon emissions can be achieved by reducing the class of travel, for long-haul flights in particular, as the seats take less space and are significantly lighter.

What are the gains?

Flying business class produces 3 times more CO2 emissions per passenger than flying on economy class. 9 times more when flying first class.

If adopted widely, this solution will encourage airlines to limit the development of premium seats to more fuel-efficient economy seats. Rebound effects should also be taken into account when measuring the global impact of this measure (see Business travel fact sheet).

Is it easy to implement?

The Economy class tickets only solution is very easy to implement, without contravening the aid organisation’s primary objectives. It is easily measurable, reportable and verifiable. It has a high symbolic value, saves a significant amount of money and serves also to reduce inequalities within an organisation.

The interior of an airplane with a large number of monitors available for passengers in economy class tickets only.
© Alexander Schimmeck/Unsplash.

Key implementation points

To implement this solution, the organisation’s travel policy must be adjusted along with the travel booking tool. Flying economy becomes unconditional; flying on premium classes is approved by managers under specific conditions. Requirements relating to disability or accessibility needs should be recognised and considered as exceptions, along with information security on very rare cases.

This solution impacts the employees who benefit most from business and first classes tickets, generally organisations’ executives, leaders or senior managers. It is therefore crucial to increase awareness and involve them in the decision-making process.

Key facts

3 times less CO2

Flying economy class emits 3 times less CO2 than flying business class (5)

9 times less CO2

Flying economy class emits 9 times less CO2 than flying first class (6)

  • Why?

    There are 3 main reasons why the footprint per traveler per distance travelled is greater for business/first class than for economy class. First, premium classes seats take up a larger than average floor space in a given airplane. In addition, business class or first class seats are less occupied than economy seats, making them even more carbon intensive . Last, premium class seats are also far heavier than economy-class seats. The heavier a plane is, the more GHG emissions it emits.

Key actions

  • #1 Create an economy class only rule

    Update or create the organisation’s travel and expense policy and include an economy class only rule for all airline tickets.

  • #2 Regulation of business and first class tickets

    Make (exceptional) purchase of non-economy class tickets dependent upon approval by the managers.

  • #3 Exceptions should be rare

    Only allow exceptions for relevant medical or major safety reasons and detail the conditions precisely.

  • #4 Quantify the gains

    Quantify the gains achieved, through a carbon tracker tool for example.

To consider

  • Potential co-benefits

    • Reduction of transport costs
    • Reduction of inequalities within the organisation
  • Success conditions

    • Increase awareness and involve the organisation’s leaders in the decision-making process to ensure their acceptability
  • Potential risks

    • Psychological impact on some employees who benefit from premium class benefits
    • Employees being less rested when arriving at their destination

Success stories

IUCN

At the International Union for Conservation of Nature, business and first class travel is not permitted by the organisation’s travel policy (7).

Bank of England

At the Bank of England (8), the economy class is the unconditional option when booking a flight under 6 hours through the Bank’s travel provider. Other options must be justified and discussed with the manager. Exceptions are related to disability, accessibility or security.

 

Greenpeace Belgium

At Greenpeace Belgium (9), one can book a premium fare ticket only if no cheaper ticket or alternative travel option is available.

University of Bergen

The Centre for Climate and Energy Transformation of the University of Bergen (10) estimates GHG emissions and assists the user in choosing options to reduce emissions, one of them being the class of travel.

Tools and good practices

  • Flight emissions

    Calculate your flight emissions

    Read here
  • Travel Policies

    As a general rule, only second class (for train) or economy class (for flights) is allowed, unless the price of a first class ticket turns out to be lower.

    Read more

To go further

  • Calculating the Carbon Footprint from Different Classes of Air Travel

    Check here
  • ICCT: Inflight luxury, who really pays?

    Read here

Sources

(1)Improving the sustainability of passenger and freight transport, IEA, 2023. Read here.

(2) Air pollution sources, European Environment Agency, 2021. Read here.

(3) International Tourism Highlights, World Tourism Organisation, 2019. Read here.

(4) Expenditure of business tourists worldwide from 2001 to 2021, Statista. Read here.

(5) The World Bank, Calculating the Carbon Footprint from Different Classes of Air Travel, 2013. Read here.

(6) The World Bank, Calculating the Carbon Footprint from Different Classes of Air Travel, 2013. Read here.

(7) IUCN. Read here.

(8) Bank of England, Travel and Expenses Policy, 2021. Read here.

(9) GreenPeace Belgium, Travel Policy Greenpeace Belgium, 2020. Read here.

(10) Uib (CET), CET Low-Carbon Travel Policy, 2022. Read here.

 

Cover photo ©Robert Penaloza/Unsplash.