How Do the UK’s Biggest Airlines Compare on Carbon Emissions?

How Do the UK’s Biggest Airlines Compare on Carbon Emissions?

When it comes to flying, not all airlines are created equal — especially when you look at carbon emissions. Choosing one carrier over another can dramatically affect your environmental impact, even if you’re flying the same route.

Let’s take a closer look at how some of the biggest UK-based airlines perform.

easyJet – Low Cost, Lower Emissions – easyJet consistently ranks as one of the most efficient airlines in Europe. With a relatively young fleet of Airbus A320neo aircraft and a high seating density, they emit less CO₂ per passenger than most other UK carriers. If you’re flying short-haul, easyJet is one of the better choices from a carbon perspective.

British Airways – A Mixed Picture – British Airways has made some progress in reducing emissions, with newer long-haul aircraft like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350. However, older planes still in use and the nature of long-haul flying mean emissions per passenger tend to be higher overall. BA usually sits in the middle of our CO₂ rankings.

Jet2 – Room for Improvement – Jet2 primarily operates holiday-focused routes, and while they offer great service, their fleet tends to be older and less efficient. Combined with a lower seat density than easyJet or Ryanair, this results in higher emissions per passenger. They’ve signalled future sustainability efforts, but currently they remain a high-emitting option.

Ryanair – Surprisingly Efficient – You might not associate Ryanair with sustainability, but when it comes to raw efficiency, they actually perform very well. A young, standardised fleet and maximum seating density give Ryanair one of the lowest emissions rates per passenger in Europe. While they don’t emphasise sustainability in their marketing, their numbers speak for themselves.

Why This Matters

Choosing a lower-emission airline can reduce your flight’s carbon footprint by up to 40% — without changing anything else about your journey.

If you’re serious about flying more responsibly:

✅ Choose non-stop flights when possible, and fly economy to reduce per-person impact

✅ Use our Global Airline CO₂ Index to check emissions before you book

✅ Offset your unavoidable flights through our verified carbon offset scheme

Fly responsibly. Offset what you can’t avoid.