Private jets are a first-choice for affluent travelers, but the environmental impact has posed a dilemma for the ecologically-minded. How can one justify the personal comfort and convenience offered by private jets against the global repercussions of green-house gas emissions? It’s an old story; various celebrities and politicians have been taken to task for preaching environmentalism while flying privately.

Carbon Offsets Take Off

Luckily, the practice of carbon offsetting lets the jet-set have their cake and eat it too. Carbon offsetting is the act of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions through the planting of trees as well as investment in alternative energy technologies. Fractional ownership operator Avantair, has joined the green revolution by partnering with Terrapass to direct money towards clean energy projects.

Avantair, whose fleet already includes the most eco-friendly of fractional aircraft – the P.180 – becomes the first provider of fractional-share planes to offset carbon emissions. Avantair and Terrapass’s offsets will largely take the form of wind farms, as well as projects in biomass and industrial efficiency.

A popular Helium Report finding in January highlighted the feasibility of green luxury travel. We answered a challenge posed by Treehugger.com to bring attention to “environmental issues and organizations,” and subsequently found that flying carbon neutral with Terrapass costs less than 1% of the total flight expense – a small price to pay for environmental responsibility.

Who’s on Board?

Avantair joins Executive Charter Services and Silverjet, who have also made a commitment to being carbon neutral. Even if you don’t choose to fly with Avantair, Executive Charter Services, or SilverJet, flying carbon neutral is not out of the question.

Learn More

Helium Report’s Decision Guide to Private Jet Travel is an indispensable primer for consumers looking to fly privately. It’s free to download, and a necessary tool for your research.

Note to Readers: Halogen Guides is the new name of Helium Report.