United Airlines Emissions Hit Post-2019 High — More Increases Likely

The road to net zero in aviation is steep, slow, and paved with good intentions. It remains to be seen whether sustainable aviation fuel is truly the key to getting there.

United Airlines’ greenhouse gas emissions rose in 2024 to their highest level since 2019, and the airline says it expects that number to keep climbing.

The reason? A growing fleet and a limited supply of lower-carbon jet fuel.

“Our overall absolute emissions have increased in 2024, and are expected to increase in the short-term due to growth and limited supply of sustainable alternatives (such as SAF),” United said in its latest sustainability report.

The airline has hundreds of new aircraft on order, most from Boeing. It's also rolling out a premium-heavy cabin layout that adds more space, and pot