Airlines

With much green fanfare two years ago Virgin Atlantic airways announced its plan to tow planes to the take off runway. Normally planes taxi on their own jet engine power to the runway starting grids they are supposed to take off from. Towing the Virgin planes meant keeping their engines off, thus saving up to two tons of carbon pollution on every flight. Now, it has been discovered the company is reneging on its tow plan and environmental watchdogs are crying “greenwash.”

Virgin Airlines showcased the first commercial biofuel flight on Sunday, sending a Boeing 747 from London to Amsterdam on a mix of standard jet fuel and palm and nut derived oils. Reactions to the test have been decidedly mixed. Branson, who has developed a reputation for using publicity stunts to raise his own celebrity and the profile of his Virgin empire, received heavy criticism for what many environmentalists see as an flashy and elaborate greenwash.

If like most people around this time of year, you're running out of time and gift ideas and someone on your list cares as much for the environment as you do, you may want to consider a carbon offset gift card from Terrapass.

On November 14, Britain’s Daily Mail reported that British Airways has been flying ghost flights across the Atlantic in order to preserve slots at airports.  The airline, which touts itself as an environmentally responsible company, has been widely condemned for the activity.  Considering the massive carbon impact of a single flight, this activity calls into question BA’s commitment to environmentalism.

How much are you willing to do to pay as little as $10 for a flight?  That is the question that Skybus Airlines has started to ask consumers.  The airline has no phone number, passengers are encouraged to check themselves in, and may even deposit and pick up their own luggage.  Yet, for $10, what do you expect?