Flight CO2 Calculator
Find out the carbon footprint of your flight, understand how it compares to everyday activities, and explore ways to offset your emissions.
Select your route, cabin class, and number of passengers to see your estimated carbon footprint and offset options.
How we calculate your flight's carbon footprint
Our calculator uses the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) carbon estimation methodology, which is the industry standard used by airlines and climate researchers. We calculate the great-circle distance between airports, apply a passenger load factor, and then apply a cabin class multiplier to account for the extra space higher classes use on the aircraft.
Why does cabin class change the footprint?
Business and first class seats take up significantly more floor space than economy seats, which means each premium passenger is responsible for a larger share of the plane's total emissions. A business class seat typically uses 2.5 to 3 times the space of an economy seat, which is why the carbon footprint is proportionally higher.
What is CO2e?
CO2 equivalent (CO2e) accounts for all greenhouse gases, not just carbon dioxide. Aviation also produces water vapour and nitrogen oxides at altitude, which have an additional warming effect. Our figures include a radiative forcing multiplier of 1.9x to account for this, in line with current scientific consensus.
How to reduce your flight emissions
- Fly economy where possible — it is the single biggest lever you have
- Choose direct routes over connections, which add significant emissions from take-off and landing
- Fly with newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft where available
- Offset through verified programmes like Gold Standard or Verra
- Consider train travel for journeys under 5 hours
Are carbon offsets actually worth it?
The quality varies enormously. Look for Gold Standard or Verra VCS certification, which require independent verification. Tree planting schemes count as temporary storage, not permanent removal. Direct air capture and ocean-based projects are more robust but more expensive. Offsetting is not a substitute for flying less, but it is better than doing nothing.
Staying connected without the roaming bill
Once you land, the last thing you want is to be hunting for WiFi or paying roaming charges. A local eSIM activated before you fly means you are connected the moment you touch down. Compare plans for your destination using our eSIM comparison tool.