You enter the flight distance (miles or km), cabin class, trip type, and number of passengers. The tool converts distance to kilometers, doubles it for round trips, then multiplies by a per-passenger-km emission factor that scales with cabin class — premium cabins take more floor space per seat, so each passenger bears a larger share of the aircraft's total emissions. Context metrics (trees, driving) use standard conversion factors.
Business-class seats are wider and have more pitch, taking up about three times the floor area of an economy seat. Since the aircraft burns the same total fuel, each passenger in a larger seat absorbs a proportionally larger share of the emissions.
The factors (0.255 kg/pax-km for economy, etc.) are average values from ICAO and DEFRA methodologies. Actual emissions vary by aircraft type, age, load factor, and routing. Newer, more efficient aircraft will emit less per seat-km.
No. Emissions at altitude have a warming effect roughly 1.5–2× that of CO₂ alone due to contrails and NOₓ. Some offset programs apply a "radiative forcing multiplier" — this calculator shows CO₂ only.
The 22 kg/year figure is a commonly cited average for a mature tree. Young trees absorb less; tropical rainforest trees absorb more. The number is a rough order of magnitude, not a precise offset recommendation.
This calculator gives you an emissions estimate, not a certified offset. If you want to offset, use the total CO₂ number as a starting point and purchase verified offsets through a reputable program like Gold Standard or Verra.
Estimate only. Results reflect your inputs and standard formulas. Double-check important decisions independently.