Etihad Airways recently operated its latest eco-flight, a step on its path to net-zero operations. On the Boeing 787 flight from London to Abu Dhabi, the carrier merged ideas tested separately on previous flights to create its most efficient flight yet, giving off 72% fewer emissions than a standard flight between the two cities.

Airlines can return their primary focus to sustainability with the pandemic well and truly dying down across the aviation industry. Across the industry, a net-zero target of 2050 has been set, and there's still a long way to go to reach it.

Etihad's most sustainable flight ever

Just under two years ago, Etihad signed an agreement with Boeing to operate the "Greenliner" program. This essentially sees the two parties collaborating on a range of initiatives to cut the day-to-day emissions from aircraft. Over the past two years, Etihad has hosted a range of sustainably focused flights, including Earth Day.

Each flight has tested different ways to reduce emissions from aircraft. These included ideas as simple as only taxiing on one engine, all the way to using sustainable aviation fuels. Now, the airline has put all of these ideas together for its most sustainable flight yet.

72% drop in emissions

According to Etihad Airways' data, its most sustainable flight emitted 72% fewer emissions than an equivalent flight operated in 2019. This meant that 39,000kg of CO2 emissions were cut out from the flight. However, less fuel was also used for the flight, meaning that Etihad saved 1,800 kilograms of jet fuel.

Saturday's flight took off from London Heathrow Airport but didn't fly straight to Abu Dhabi. Instead, the aircraft's flight path was optimized to avoid pockets of air supersaturated with ice. While this did use slightly more fuel, it also meant that contrails were avoided, meaning that overall, emissions were reduced. There were too many initiatives mentioned to list every single one, though Etihad has created a video highlighting many of the initiatives undertaken on the flight,

No offsetting used

The reported reduction in emissions is impressive, as it doesn't include any carbon offset by projects such as planting trees. Including carbon offset through verified programs, the net emissions would've been even lower. Around a year ago, Etihad committed to compensating all CO2 generated by the specific aircraft, A6-BMH wearing a special Greeliner livery during 2021.

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The airline's CEO, Tony Douglas, acknowledged that carbon offsetting isn't the sole answer to reaching net-zero but does have a role to play in the journey. He commented,

“The entire emissions reduction we achieved on this flight was through the operational steps and efficiencies employed and did not rely on off-sets. Nonetheless, off-sets, if done rigorously, also play a part in our sustainable future."

What do you make of Etihad's most sustainable flight to date? Let us know what you think and why in the comments!