The Big Question: Is there a future for private jets in travel?
Ilaria Grasso MacolaPrivate jets offer unparalleled comfort and convenience, but as travel ramps up its response to the climate crisis, four travel experts debate whether their use can they still be justified in TTG’s latest Big Questions feature.
Sustainability has crept up the news agenda in recent years, and truly became a mainstream issue during the pandemic, with private jet travel a common – some might perhaps say "easy" – target.
TTG believes in encouraging high-quality debate and discussion to drive progress. New for 2023, the Big Questions series continues in June as we explore the role played by private jets in travel, and whether their promotion – and use – can be justified at a time when the industry’s environmental and sustainability record is under intense scrutiny.
While politicians, sports team and celebs have come under fire for their use of private jets, they remain a staple of high-end leisure and business travel, opening up difficult-to-reach destinations and bringing tourism spend and often scientific expertise.
But with every increasingly dire climate crisis prediction, can private jet travel be morally and ethically justified in 2023 when other, cleaner forms of transport exist?
What do you think? Join in the debate in the comments section below, or email feedback@ttgmedia.com. Alternatively, head to one of TTG’s social media channels to get involved.
'Some people need more from their flights'
Admittedly, with my sustainability hat on, there is still a way to go; plans to mitigate the impact of travel on the climate need to be made sooner rather than later. However, I do believe there is still a place for private jet travel.
Many of my clients are time poor, and private charter is a much quicker way for them to travel. Not only are the flying times much shorter, but clients also have access to more airports and can make plans at short notice.
For business travellers, they can continue to work while they are in the air. They can host face-to-face or virtual meetings in complete privacy and deal with any confidential matters. Meanwhile, for medical emergencies or organ transportation, this type of air travel is critical.
It is also ideally suited to those who need more from their flight – nervous flyers or those with medical conditions can avoid crowds; those travelling for longer can take more luggage with them; and meals can be personalised for those with dietary requirements. Private jet travel also makes it much easier to transport, or travel with, pets too.
I’m not saying convenience trumps the environment, but I do believe there are many benefits to private charters. We can all do our part, even those travelling by private jet, such as by reducing unnecessary travel, by using private jets for longer flights with more people, and by flying direct rather than making stops.
At the same time, private aviation companies can – and should – also take advantage of carbon offsets and explore sustainable jet fuel alternatives while electric prototypes continue to be developed.
Daniel Salmon is managing director of Never a Wasted Journey.
'Rich jet owners can afford to pay more for their luxury'
Let’s be clear, private jet flights are really bad for the environment, up to 14 times more polluting per passenger than commercial flights, and 50 times more polluting than train journeys. To top it off, they often fly between cities that have regular connections. Incredibly, the most popular UK private jet route in 2022 was London-Paris – 200 miles and just over two hours by train away.
Travel companies recognise sustainability is no longer a “nice to have”, but a pre-requisite. Those paying only lip service to sustainability are increasingly rare. Companies that claim to be sustainable while encouraging people to travel by private jet will be found out and accused of greenwashing.
So, private jets – bad for the environment, and potentially bad for image. But there is another side to the story. Private jet owners are really, really rich. Not only can they afford their jets, but they can also afford to put sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in them, especially since fossil jet fuel isn’t taxed.
Owners and operators could, and should, use SAF now. But they could, and should, go further and ensure their next private jet is zero emission. Just as the first Teslas were aimed at the luxury market, the first hydrogen fuel cell planes – which will be small – could be too. Governments could help sharpen thinking by banning private jets powered by conventional fuel from, say, 2030.
So the question suddenly becomes – how quickly can the private jet industry become sustainable? It’s faced with a stark choice: become sustainable, or die. If the move to true sustainability is quick enough, then OK. But if it’s not, the travel industry – and society at large – should ditch private jets.
Matt Finch is Transport and Environment's UK policy manager.
'Mandate sustainable fuel for private jets'
There’s no simple yes or no answer. Private jets are not going away. It’s not the jets that are the problem, but the fuel they use. Travellers who choose to use a private jet should be asked to pay a levy or a higher tax, which would help fund the acceleration of cleaner fuel or electrification of all aircraft.
I understand it is a contentious topic, as we are reminded daily that we are in a climate crisis. Aviation companies who offer private jets, and those that use them, will claim they are an essential business tool. At Travel Matters, we’d advocate travellers take a train over a plane if they have the time. We would also encourage clients to use a flight serviced by a larger aircraft, if possible.
I believe our politicians should be working hard to encourage the use of cleaner fuel in private jets, as well as smaller aircraft, as this market continues to grow. Should it become law to only use sustainable aviation fuel? Climate groups may be appeased if that were the case. It just doesn’t seem fair that globally, the few who fly regularly using fossil fuel do so without contributing to investment towards cleaner fuel for everyone.
And while I do not fly by private jet, I do fly. It’s more important for those who fly to consider their travel choices for the sake of others and see the consequences of their choices. Our Make Travel Matter campaign grew out of a desire to show and educate travellers how we can all make a difference when we travel, from how we get to a destination to what we do when we are there.
Karen Simmonds is founder of London-based agency Travel Matters.
'Private jets are the pinnacle of climate injustice'
While most people are trying to reduce their impact on the climate, a tiny minority are burning jet fuel like there’s no tomorrow.
Greenpeace recently commissioned analysis which found private jet traffic in Europe has soared from 350,000 flights in 2021 to more than 570,000 in 2022. The associated carbon dioxide emissions more than doubled over the same period to more than 3.3 million tonnes, equal to the average yearly CO2 emissions of 555,000 EU residents – or the entire population of Manchester.
The study also showed the UK is a major player in this market, with a private jet taking off every six minutes. The UK can also claim the busiest route, the most polluting route, and the most flights overall – 90,256 last year alone.
The majority of private flights in Europe are short-haul flights that could easily be covered almost as quickly by train or ferry, or in some extreme cases, by bicycle. Contrary to the industry’s claims about connectivity and saving precious business time, this is primarily a leisure-driven sector. Private jet traffic in Europe peaks during the summer months; departures are up by 50% in July compared with January. Nice in the south of France is the airport most commonly frequented by private jets – hardly a major business hub.
As the effects of climate change become painfully apparent, and governments come under pressure to honour their commitments, private jets will be seen as a luxury the planet can no longer afford. The only logical response is to ban them.
Klara Maria Schenk is a transport campaigner at Greenpeace.
The Big Question by TTG
The Big Question is a monthly feature from TTG taking on some of the burning issues facing travel through expert commentary, insight and debate. While it's not designed to be adversarial, it won't flinch from placing a spotlight on some often uncomfortable topics travel – like it or not – will one day have to reckon with.
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