ways2work > How to do it > Re-thinking business travel > Travelling more sustainably on business > Business travel by air

Business travel by air

Air travel is often the only way of travelling on business given the distance to be travelled. It is vital to the UK economy and the UK is the world aviation hub.

However, where possible and appropriate, please consider non-travel options or rail as an alternative to air for domestic and near European travel. 45% of air journeys in Europe are less than 500km – about the distance from London to the Scottish border and therefore non-air modes are possible. Trains can be quicker as they are city centre to city centre and they are less carbon intensive. They can also be more conducive to getting some work done or relaxing.

Hints and tips when travelling by air

Here are some tips for when air travel is the best or only option:

  • Book tickets in advance
  • Be flexible
  • Check for low cost carriers
  • Review entitlements to first and business class, and premium economy tickets
  • Compare different websites and airlines
  • Negotiate preferred supplier deals directly with airlines
  • If you use a TMC book tickets online
  • Consider carbon offsetting – we’re aware there’s a debate about its value and it’s not a cure. But it can help raise awareness of the impacts and make us think about the alternatives.

WWF runs a One in Five Challenge helping companies fly less, reduce their costs and their carbon emissions from business travel – it’s good for business, good for the planet. Participants commit to cut 20% of their business flights within five years.

The Challenge is a guided programme and award scheme which suggests practical ways to cut flying and use lower-carbon ways of staying connected.

Journey Out & back by plane Out & back by train %
London to Paris 3.5 hours, 244 Kg/CO2 2.75 hours, 22 Kg/CO2 = 91% less
London to Edinburgh 3.5 hours, 193 Kg/CO2 4.5 hours, 24 Kg/CO2 = 87% less

Source: seat61.com

For comparing emissions from different modes of transport in Europe please go to ecopassenger - here you can compare the energy consumption, CO2 and exhaust atmospheric emissions for planes, cars and trains for passenger transport in Europe.
 

 

FirstGroup the UK’s largest public transport company has been working actively to reduce the environmental impacts from business travel. As a national and international company the main impact is from short and long-haul flights. In 2009 the company introduced a new travel policy in the UK actively encouraging staff to make greater use of the companies extensive video and telephone conferencing facilities. All flights now require to be authorised to ensure that other options have been considered. As a result from 2009 to 2010 the company reduced carbon dioxide emissions associated with business air travel by 57%, equating to 671 tonnes of carbon dioxide. This resulted in a 41% reduction on travel spend.