Mila Chase
Aviation Specialist
Calculate CO2 emissions for private jet flights. Understand your aviation carbon footprint and discover ways to offset your environmental impact.
Use our flight carbon footprint calculator to understand the environmental impact of your private jet travel. Calculate CO2 emissions based on route, aircraft type, and passenger count.
Our calculator uses industry-standard fuel consumption data and the CO2 conversion factor of 2.52 kg CO2 per liter of Jet-A fuel to provide accurate emission estimates.
Compare carbon footprint per passenger
Kilograms of CO2 produced per flight hour
Detailed breakdown by aircraft category
| Aircraft Type | Fuel (L/hr) | CO2 (kg/hr) | Typical Passengers | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop | 100-150 | 250-380 | 4-9 | 1,000 nm |
| Very Light Jet | 150-200 | 380-500 | 4-6 | 1,500 nm |
| Light Jet | 200-300 | 500-750 | 6-8 | 2,000 nm |
| Midsize Jet | 300-400 | 750-1,000 | 7-9 | 3,000 nm |
| Super Midsize Jet | 400-500 | 1,000-1,250 | 8-10 | 4,000 nm |
| Large Cabin Jet | 500-700 | 1,250-1,750 | 10-16 | 5,000 nm |
| Ultra Long Range | 700-1,000 | 1,750-2,500 | 12-19 | 7,500 nm |
Components of aviation's carbon footprint
Direct CO2 emissions from burning jet fuel. The primary source of aviation emissions.
Lifecycle emissions from producing aircraft, engines, and components.
Ground handling, terminals, lighting, and airport infrastructure.
Contrails, NOx emissions, and other atmospheric effects.
Practical ways to reduce your environmental impact
One tree absorbs ~21 kg CO2 per year. Plant 0 trees to offset this flight in one year.
Purchase verified carbon credits at ~$15-50 per tonne. Cost: $0 estimated.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel reduces emissions by up to 80%. Ask your operator about SAF options.
Invest in renewable energy projects that reduce fossil fuel dependency.
Common questions about aviation emissions
Flight carbon footprint is calculated using: Fuel consumption (L/hr) x Flight time (hrs) x 2.52 kg CO2/L. The formula accounts for aircraft type, distance, and cruise speed to provide accurate emission estimates.
Per passenger, private jets emit 5-14x more CO2 than commercial flights. However, they offer time savings and access to smaller airports. Carbon offset programs can help mitigate the environmental impact.
One tree absorbs ~21 kg CO2/year. A transatlantic flight producing 30,000 kg CO2 would need ~1,400 trees to offset in one year, or ~60 trees over 25 years.
SAF is jet fuel from sustainable sources like used cooking oil or agricultural waste. It can reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional jet fuel.
Yes! Options include carbon credit purchases ($15-50/tonne), tree planting programs, SAF usage, and investing in renewable energy projects. Many operators now offer carbon-neutral flight options.
CO2 emissions per hour vary: Very Light Jets 400-500 kg, Light Jets 500-750 kg, Midsize 750-1,000 kg, Large Cabin 1,250-1,750 kg, Ultra Long Range 1,750-2,500 kg.
Yes, modern jets are 15-25% more fuel-efficient than older models due to improved engines, aerodynamics, and lighter materials. Choosing newer aircraft reduces your carbon footprint.
A NYC-London private jet flight produces ~25,000-35,000 kg CO2 total, or ~3,000-4,000 kg per passenger with 8 aboard. Commercial flights produce ~500-700 kg per passenger for the same route.
Choose smaller efficient aircraft, maximize passenger load, book direct flights, use SAF when available, purchase carbon offsets, and combine trips when possible.
Private aviation accounts for ~2% of aviation emissions, which itself is ~2.5% of global CO2. While small overall, the per-passenger impact is significantly higher than commercial aviation.
Aviation Specialist