Change is in the Air, and for Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic’s programme primarily focuses on environmental and supply chain activities and non-profit partnerships. They tend to focus on their biggest environmental and social priorities, as well as the things that are most important to their customers and people.

Environment

Fuel and carbon efficiency is the number one environmental priority. Aircraft fuel use accounts for more than 99% of Virgin Atlantic’s direct carbon emissions. They’re committed to reducing these emissions by upgrading their fleet to new aircraft that are around 30%* more fuel efficient per trip.

By 2024, Virgin will operate the youngest, greenest fleet in the sky, also optimising aircraft cleaning and maintenance to watch onboard weight, and advising pilots how to fly more efficiently. Virgin been working with clean tech company LanzaTech on their process to convert industrial waste gases and other plentiful waste streams into low carbon jet fuel.

As part of that commitment to promoting responsible wildlife tourism, the decision was made to stop selling and promoting captive whale and dolphin attractions. At the same time, partnering with the World Cetacean Alliance to support the development of wild-watching opportunities.

Virgin Atlantic also measure and report on waste, water and noise for both aircraft and ground operations in the annual ‘Change is in the Air Sustainability Report’.