Fuel Efficiency and Emissions Reduction
Aviation's impact on the environment
Aviation stimulates the economy, trade and tourism, generates business opportunities and enhances quality of life in both developed and developing regions. However, aviation does produce approximately 3% of human-caused CO2 emissions, and addressing greenhouse gas emissions will require a global approach.
Net zero GHGs by 2050
In 2018, we became the first U.S. airline to publicly commit to a carbon emissions reduction target. Since then, we’ve embraced the goal of becoming net zero by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions 100% by 2050 without relying on the use of voluntary carbon offsets.
To meet this goal, we’ll continue to invest in fuel efficiency improvements across our fleet and our entire business. But because fuel efficiency alone won’t be enough to reach this ambitious goal, we also intend to invest in new technology, like sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that emits far less CO2 than conventional fuel on a lifecycle basis.
You can also view our entire emissions footprint on our Corporate Responsibility Report. Read more
Improvements in fuel efficiency
Improving fuel efficiency is critical to our ability to manage our carbon footprint. United is constantly focused on improving its fuel efficiency and aircraft performance, both through our own internal efforts and in conjunction with our suppliers and partners. In 2021, United announced ‘United Next,’ a historic aircraft order of the newest aircraft models today, which is expected to increase the total number of available seats per domestic departure by almost 30%, significantly lowering carbon emissions per seat. As part of the program, United has placed orders for more than 800 narrowbody and widebody aircraft, with options to increase that number to nearly 1,000 narrowbody and widebody aircraft, with an expected 20% improved fuel efficiency per seat, compared to older planes. United took delivery of 85 new planes in 2023 and plans to take delivery of 66 new planes in 2024. These new, more efficient aircraft, combined with fuel efficiency measures on seat density, result in 21% of our forecasted emissions reductions by 2050.
Here are the actions we take to improve our fuel efficiency:
In the air
United has made significant investments in a more modern, fuel-efficient fleet while implementing operational and procedural changes to help drive fuel conservation.
Weight reductions
We constantly review the amenities of our aircraft for lighter-weight alternatives, as lighter aircraft consume less fuel and produce fewer emissions. For example, in 2017 United switched to a lighter, 10% recycled content paper for its inflight service guide. While each guide became lighter by a mere 1.1 ounce, this change saves 220,000 gallons of fuel and 2,100 metric tons of CO2e per year. Learn more
Single-engine taxiing
Shutting down one engine and taxiing on the other saves five million gallons per year, or the equivalent of removing 9,000 cars from the road.
Continuous descent approaches
Avoiding applying thrust at low altitudes can save fuel—while also reducing noise impacts to cities.
Towing aircraft
Rather than taxiing aircraft between flights, United's fleet of 69 SuperTugs at 10 airports saves eight million gallons each year by moving nearly 500 aircraft every day between the gates and hangars.
Engine washes
We routinely wash our aircraft engines to reduce drag and emissions.
Auxiliary power unit savings
Where possible, we provide aircraft parked at the gate with air conditioning and electric power via alternative, emissions-reducing methods rather than using the aircraft's auxiliary power unit.
On the ground and at our facilities
On the ground
As of December 2023, more than 35% of United's total ground support equipment fleet was electric, indicating a significant step towards electrification in both hubs and line stations. Notably, in our hubs alone, nearly half of our entire equipment has been electrified. United’s year-over-year progress from 2021 to 2023 demonstrates a notable increase in eGSE purchases. In 2023 alone, United purchased more than a thousand pieces of electric equipment and spent $6M to install more than 350 new charging ports across its network. In doing so, we have also accelerated the pace of retiring fossil-fuel based equipment. The continued progression of our eGSE strategy is in large part due to the ongoing internal and external stakeholder engagement efforts, which identify the opportunities, challenges and necessary investments needed for the long-term planning of eGSE and charging infrastructure across our network operations.
In addition, grants play an important role in United’s ability to accelerate our eGSE efforts. United received $5.5 million in grant funding in 2022 to help procure 77 additional electric GSE and 20 electric mobile Ground Power Units (GPUs). Since 2019, United has been directly awarded over $8 million in grant funding to procure eGSE and has supported multiple airports seeking VALE funding resulting in over $26 million to procure common-use equipment to reduce Scope 1 emissions.
At our facilities
United has LEED certified buildings in Chicago, Houston and San Francisco. One of the largest green roofs in Chicago is on our United Cargo building at O’Hare. For more information about our emissions and to view detailed data please visit crreport.united.com.
Emissions and other data
Every year, we report on our carbon emissions, local air quality, waste management, water and energy consumption and more. For more information about our emissions and to view detailed data please visit crreport.united.com.
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