Alaska Airline during the start of the COVID19 pandemic used its downtime to eliminate plastics on board. Alaska Airlines eliminated plastic bottles, cups, and other materials and switched to lighter alternatives.
Aside from plastics taking over centuries to decompose, Alaska also benefitted from this move. The airline now carries less weight consequently saving money on fuel and helping the environment.
Alaska Airlines Eliminates Plastics and Going Carbon Neutral
The aviation industry is turning into greener alternatives. Both airlines and plane manufacturers are focusing on going carbon neutral in the coming decades. For United Airlines, it promised to go carbon neutral by 2050. On the other hand, Alaska Airlines announced that it is ready to go carbon neutral by 2040.
Last week, United made history by running its first commercial plane with passengers onboard using 100% sustainable aviation fuel. The fuel used during the flight was made of sugar water and corn. This emits far less carbon than regular jet fuel. Unfortunately, sustainable fuels cost more than your traditional jet fuel.
Plastics As Heavy As 18 Boeing 737 Planes
By getting rid of plastics, Alaska Airlines said that it can save weight amounting to 18 Boeing 737 planes every year. What makes it an amazing feat is the fact that no other airline eliminated plastics. Alaska teamed up with Boxed Water to serve water in a milk carton-like container instead of a plastic bottle.
Alaska Airlines manager of guest products Todd Traynor-Corey said that “The biggest issue we were having was single-use plastic”.
The airline made sure during the pandemic that their move to eliminate plastics won’t backfire. For instance, they did taste tests and asked for feedback from staff to passengers. Eventually, the airline decided to partner with Boxed Water.
Boxed Water founder and CEO Daryn Kuipers said that “This is a very visible change. It’s not a free change”. Kuipers added that Boxed Water offers “premium water”.
Relying on AI
Alaska also invested in an AI program called Flyways. This program suggests the most efficient routes for passengers. And therefore, it also burns less fuel. Pasha Saleh, head of corporate development at Alaska Airlines said that “Flyways is probably the most exciting thing that I’ve come across in airline technology since I can remember”. This also helps the airline to avoid turbulence resulting in smoother flights.
