Flight Carbon Footprint Calculator
Air travel is one of the largest sources of personal carbon emissions. This calculator estimates the CO2 produced by your flight based on distance and cabin class. Using emission factors derived from ICAO methodology, it accounts for the higher per-passenger footprint of premium cabins due to seat space allocation. Enter your flight details to understand your aviation carbon footprint.
How We Calculate This
CO2 = distance × 2 (if return) × emission factor × cabin multiplier × passengers. Emission factors: short <1500km: 0.15, medium 1500-3500km: 0.12, long >3500km: 0.10 kg/pkm. Cabin multipliers: economy 1.0, premium 1.3, business 2.0, first 3.0.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are flight emissions calculated?
Emissions depend on distance and cabin class. We use emission factors (kg CO2 per passenger-km) that vary by flight length: short-haul uses more fuel per km due to takeoff/landing. Cabin multipliers reflect that business/first class seats take more space.
Why does cabin class affect emissions?
Premium cabins use more floor space per passenger, meaning fewer passengers share the aircraft's total fuel burn. Business class typically counts as 2x economy, first class as 3x, following ICAO seat-factor methodology.
What are typical emission factors?
Economy class produces roughly 0.10-0.15 kg CO2 per km depending on distance. Short flights (under 1500 km) are less efficient per km due to takeoff/landing fuel. Long-haul flights are more efficient per km but cover more distance.
How many trees offset a flight?
A mature tree absorbs about 22 kg CO2 per year. A return transatlantic flight in economy produces ~1000 kg CO2, requiring about 45 tree-years to offset. Actual offset programs vary in effectiveness.
Related Calculators
You might also find these calculators helpful: Ecological Footprint Calculator, and Fuel Cost Calculator.
Emission factors are approximate averages. Actual emissions vary by aircraft type, load factor, and routing. For precise calculations, consult ICAO or airline-specific tools.