Author: Alex Early

Over the last two years, private jet charters have increased in popularity due to the global pandemic pushing travelers to look for safer methods. Those who have never flown them have begun to find ease and enjoyment. People becoming comfortable with flying means even more private jet charter bookings daily. Combine this with regular, frequent fliers, which means there are many private jets in the sky at any given moment. But with the increased number of people flying, there is a need for a green private jet initiative. Will private jets be able to become greener while spending more time in the sky?

It is not a secret that private jets are not the most environmentally friendly – even when compared with the large jets of major airlines. Sure, they put out fewer greenhouse gases than the alternative due to their size, but all that output for a single passenger can create a substantial individual carbon footprint. And that’s where the difference comes in. The good news is that the future of the green private jet industry is bright.

What Does It Mean to Have a Green Private Jet?

Generally, a business that follows green practices has taken steps to reduce its negative impact on the environment and the surrounding community. For the air travel industry, going Green and becoming sustainable is all about lowering carbon emissions and air pollution. Minimizing pollution can be done by reducing the use of fossil fuels.

The more this becomes a greater focus in the industry, the more attractive it becomes to travelers. It is worth noting that the upfront costs of going green and finding sustainable solutions are high, but that’s because most are trying to find what works. When more people know about this, it will be much easier to put green practices into practice.

The Environmental Pledge

There are many different commercial airlines and private jet companies that have taken a pledge to implement more sustainable actions into their everyday practice. This action is to make industry-wide change happen. Moreover, this desire for change has sparked a search for a better energy source to fuel jets of all sizes. Many are hopeful that an accessible, efficient energy choice will make a difference in the industry and the world.

Sustainable Fueling

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is the jet fuel created using sustainable resources that can be mixed with fossil fuels and, in turn, reduce emissions. Sometimes referred to as biofuel, this option has a much lower carbon footprint yet can yield the same travel results. How is sustainable fuel produced? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, SAF is made from “renewable biomass and waste resources.” These resources include:

• Algae
• Oil
• Corn grain
• Forestry residues
• Wood mill waste
• Manure
• Wastewater treatment sludge
• Energy crops (designated)

Although sustainable fuel or biofuel is not a solution that will remove 100% of the emissions produced by air travel, researchers feel confident that regularly using jet fuel from waste products can reduce emissions by about 80%. And, let’s be honest for a minute – that is a huge difference. There is no doubt that sustainable fuel could have a very positive impact on the environment.

Battery-Operated Jets? 

Imagine flying on a battery-operated plane or one that gets its energy from solar panels. Believe it or not, the reality of either one may not be too far off. Battery-operated aircraft is slowly evolving, but much perfecting still needs to be done. The Zer0 aircraft is designed for the future, even dubbed the Tesla of the Skies. It runs off of energy instead of jet fuel and uses the sun’s energy to harvest it. No emissions are escaping into the sky using this method – and it can make such a difference in the world.

Support for Offset Campaigns

If you are wondering what you can do in the meantime to reduce your carbon footprint even though you are taking a private flight without any flowing using fossil fuels, you have a choice in carbon offset programs. Here’s a general idea of how this works. Let’s say you travel via a private jet from the Los Angeles area to Miami, Florida. This flight covers many miles, and you’ve likely burned up a lot of fossil fuels and increased your carbon footprint. Suppose you want to be proactive and take a step toward your future.

In that case, you will reduce that carbon footprint by donating to a fund or campaign of a company involved in clean energy production or research, as well as other environmentally-friendly practices. It can vary, but the average cost is about 1% of the total cost of your flight. And, believe it or not, you’d be surprised at how well it can make a difference in the future. In other words, it is all about enjoying all the perks that come with private travel – without feeling guilty about your flight’s negative impact on the environment.

How Close Are We to a Green Private Jet?

Change is definitely on the horizon for those looking to make the air travel industry green – especially those in the private jet community. The kinks need to get worked out as far as the sustainability options are concerned, including the pricing for the new fuel and taking the time to switch many machines and potentially aircraft engines to ensure they are functioning appropriately with the latest energy.

As more and more research and ways of achieving sustainable solutions are readily accessible, the industry will continue to shift. The next time you need air travel, determine what type of private jet charter is the best. You may not find yourself with access to a solar-powered jet or one that uses sustainable aviation fuel, but offset campaigns are always there, helping you feel good about taking that trip.

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While they fly in the sky to get travelers from one spot to another, there are quite a few differences between the design of private and commercial airliners. Some differences in a jet design can be more obvious than others. For instance, the traveler’s experience ranges based on the design of the aircraft. And today, we thought we would look at all these things – breaking down the difference between each so that you know how to choose the best option next time you head out of town.

Different Kinds of Jet Design

It is typical to use the terms jet and plane interchangeably. They are both similar in what they do, so it’s understandable. But are they the same thing? While flying private, many refer to private jets or private planes, whereas when traveling commercially, it is often a commercial plane or a passenger jet. A rush relates to an aircraft that has a jet engine.

A spray can be a plane, but not all aircraft are jets. Make sense? Jet engines are turbojets or turbofans. And these jet engines are what fly most of the planes in the sky, including both private and commercial aircraft. So, whether or not the terminology matters in everyday conversation, it is worth knowing that there truly is a reason for it when breaking down the differences.

Experience With On-Board Jet Design

If you had a private jet and a commercial airliner right next to one another and had the opportunity to step on board each one, you would see a vast difference. Most noticeably, their size. A private jet is typically smaller and designed to carry fewer passengers in a more comfortable setting, providing a better in-flight experience. In contrast, a commercial airliner optimizes its seating capacity to get as many people to one destination as possible. So let’s take a look at how the experience plays out in the onboard design of each.

Jet Design First Impressions

On a commercial airliner, you will first notice a seemingly endless row of seats and sides lined with small windows. When first stepping on board, you will see that each looks different. Remember, they are trying to fit the maximum number of flight passengers. The best way to do this is to use as much space in the plane as possible. The first impression of a private jet experience will be vastly different.

Once inside, you will notice that there are a few seats, maybe a couch, table, and the like – enough to hold several people rather than a couple hundred. The furniture will look more comfortable and inviting, almost resembling that of a lounge rather than a plane. Private jets, too, have windows that line their sides, giving an openness.

Seating

Breaking it down a little more – let’s look at the seating. Both private jet charters and commercial planes want a place to sit that keeps you buckled and safe while taking off, landing, and during turbulent moments. But are they different? And, if so, how? On commercial planes, they opt for slim-line seats to boost occupancy.

More and more people can take flight on these planes, although they often require you to get cozy with your neighbor, whether a stranger or not. Private jets give you space. The seats are often sturdy and made with soft leather. Depending on the flight, you may find that these seats have temperature control and airbags.

Foods and Beverages

While on board, there’s a good chance you will get a little hungry, and, thanks to the often dry air in the sky, you will likely get thirsty, too. So, what do you do? How are private jets and commercial planes designed to quench your thirst and hunger?

Do not have any expectations regarding food on a commercial plane. Unless you fly internationally, you will likely find yourself with small snacks and basic drinks or snacks and drinks for purchase. Meals are often out the window. You will not be fine if you have the right expectations for your flight.

On private jets, you can have food catered, select from a menu provided before flying or even have a meal prepared by a personal chef on board (depending on the jet type and the flight length). You can feel free to bring your food and drink to these travel options.

Lighting

Lighting plays a more significant role in our lives than we know. Thanks to our circadian rhythm, most of us get to sleep when the sun goes down and feel bright and alert as the sun rises. And flying often disrupts this. Traveling and resting during the daytime and arriving at your destination bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in the evening can throw you for a loop.

You don’t have much control over the lighting on a commercial airliner. You can turn the reading light above your head on and off, but you can’t stop your neighbor from using theirs. In addition, there are cabin lights overhead that you have no control over. Private jets put the lighting control in your hands. You can turn them on or off and close or open all the windows. This way, you can rest and wake up when you need to.

Entertainment and Connectivity

Finally, we come to entertainment and connectivity. You can, of course, bring all sorts of things to keep you busy on either type of aircraft; there is no doubt that you will have access to entertainment and better connections on a private jet.

You will often have a large tv screen equipped with satellite-enabled hi-def services. Watch the news, a movie, music videos, play video games – the choices are unlimited. And it’s a much better option than the small seatback screen with limited options on the commercial plane. So, is there a difference between private jet design and commercial plane design? Absolutely.

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