JetBlue Claims Carbon Neutrality for Domestic Operations

New York’s JetBlue now says they have achieved carbon neutrality for their flights operating over the United States. Through investing in sustainable aviation fuel and other carbon offsetting activity, the carrier claims they are the first American carrier to cut their net emissions to such low levels.

JetBlue is claiming the first victory in the climate crisis, declaring themselves the first U.S.-based carrier to reach carbon neutrality for domestic aircraft operations. In a press release, the New York-based airline said they have reached the milestone through partnering with environmental organizations and investing in sustainable aviation fuel.

Airline Carbon Neutrality Moves Towards a “New Climate Reality”

To reach the “carbon neutrality” measure, JetBlue is utilizing two strategies to reduce emissions and negate their footprint. To start, the airline is offsetting their emissions through partnerships with three organizations, while purchasing sustainable aviation fuel for flights out of San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

The sustainable aviation fuel comes form Neste, labeled the “world’s third-most sustainable company” on the Corporate Knight’s Global 100 list. According to the company, their MY Renewable Jet Fuel product is able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80 percent over the lifecycle, compared to traditional fossil jet fuel. Neste plans to increase their production of sustainable jet fuel to one million tons by 2022.

“We are bringing additional SAF production capacity online and stand ready to provide JetBlue with even more of this low-emission, high-quality fuel to help them achieve carbon neutral growth,” Chris Cooper, vice president for renewable aviation at Neste North America, said in the press release. “Our work with JetBlue is sending a clear signal to anyone wondering what the future of air travel is – it will be lower-emission, it will be more sustainable, and it will be increasingly powered by SAF.”

JetBlue is also expanding their partnerships with environmental organizations to reduce their footprint. In 2008, JetBlue partnered with the CarbonFund.org Foundation to offset their jet emissions from their domestic operations. The airline celebrated “carbon neutral flying network” days in 2015 and 2019, but expanding their partnerships takes the plan even further.

In addition to their agreement with CarbonFund.org, the airline will also work with South Pole and EcoAct to offset all of their emissions. In turn, each organization are focusing on driving carbon-reducing solutions, including capturing landfill gasses, expanding solar and wind power generation operations, and working to improve forest conservation projects. By working with the three organizations, the airline says their actions offset the exhaust from over 1.5 million cars annually.

“Our commitment to sustainability has only become more important as we prepare our business for a new climate reality,” Joanna Geraghty, president and chief operating officer for JetBlue, said in the release. “Even with a long recovery ahead following the COVID-19 pandemic, JetBlue remains focused on short- and long-term environmental opportunities, particularly lessening our largest impact – carbon emissions – and more fuel-efficient flying.”

JetBlue Skips Ahead of Competition in Sustainability Goals

Through their combination of efforts, JetBlue is moving ahead of the legacy competition in their sustainability efforts. However, airlines have worked throughout 2020 to drive more sustainable solutions for flights.

Early in 2020, Delta Air Lines entered an agreement with Gevo to purchase 10 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel per year, which would reduce their lifecycle carbon footprint by up to 75 percent. United Airline is committing to purchase more sustainable airline fuel through their Eco-Skies project, with the goal of cutting in half by 2050.