by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 10:45 AM ET, Tue May 7, 2024
Alaska Airlines is enhancing its sustainability programs by offering guests the ability to reduce the carbon impact of their flight by voluntarily purchasing sustainable aviation fuel credits according to 5, 10 or 20 percent of their carbon impact when they book their travel directly through Alaska Airlines.
Members of Alaska’s Mileage Plan loyalty program who buy SAF credits will earn elite-qualifying miles (EQMs) for every SAF purchase. They’ll receive 500 EQMs for every $100 they spend on SAF, up to 5,000 EQMs per year.
"Alaska is on a journey to make air travel more sustainable with an ambitious goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2040. Now we are inviting our guests to join us on the journey," said Diana Birkett Rakow, senior vice president of public affairs and sustainability, Alaska Airlines. "Today, we've launched new options for guests to customize their travel experience, take action on the environmental impact of their trip, and help us scale the market for SAF.”
“SAF is a critical part of aviation's path to a more sustainable future, and while we use it today, there is not enough SAF available,” continued Birkett Rakow. “It will take all of us to grow this market. The more people who know about and support this important technology, the better we can impact efforts to make a sustainable future for air travel a reality."
The new carbon offsetting option is available as an optional trip add-on during the booking process, and is powered by climate tech company, CHOOOSE. The SAF credit option follows the International Air Transport Association’s Recommended Practice 1726, which is a passenger CO2 calculation method.
According to IATA, SAF can lower carbon emissions by 80 percent or more and can be used in existing fuel systems and engines.
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