A new fare class that includes carbon offsets in the price was launched last week by the Lufthansa Group, which owns German airline, Lufthansa, and other European carriers, meaning you can now save the planet one flight at a time (sort of).
Lufthansa Group’s “green fares” are available on flights throughout Europe and parts of northern Africa, and offer additional benefits for eco-conscious travelers.
How are Lufthansa’s green fares sustainable?
Lufthansa says green fares achieve their environment-friendly credentials by subsidizing its purchase of more expensive sustainable aviation fuel and funding “high-quality climate protection projects.”
The new green fares assist the airline in decreasing its carbon footprint. According to the airline group, a green fare covers 20% of its cost for sustainable aviation fuel, while 80% funds carbon offsetting projects. Although some environmental advocates have questioned the ecological effectiveness of carbon offsets, the airline affirms that its projects are carefully evaluated.
What other benefits are included in Lufthansa’s new fares?
In addition to built-in carbon offsets, the new fares offer customers advance seat selection and a free checked bag for their journey.
The new fare class, which is available on Lufthansa as well as Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Swiss, Edelweiss, Eurowings Discover, and Air Dolomiti, is available in both business and economy classes with zero change fees.
Harry Hohmeister, a member of Lufthansa’s Executive Board, commented that it is difficult to estimate how much more expensive tickets would be, but they would be “noticeably” higher. Investing in sustainable travel might cost some extra cash, but it’s a small price to pay for saving the planet and possibly skipping a few trips to your local coffee shop.