Our Commitment to Environmental Sustainability

• In August 2024, United introduced an alternative for its economy cutlery packet, which includes three pieces of cutlery, a napkin, and salt and pepper sachets and is used for onboard meal service. The replacement builds upon United’s efforts to reduce the amount of single-use plastic used onboard by replacing virgin plastic cutlery with FSC 100% certified bamboo cutlery. The replacement also includes a napkin made from over 70% recycled content (versus 100% virgin) and a kraft paper wrapper (versus a polypropylene plastic wrapper). A comparative life-cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted by a third-party LCA expert in accordance with ISO 14040, ISO 14044, ISO 14067, and IATA's March 2024 guidance on “Reassessing single-use plastic products in the airline sector: A report on the opportunities and challenges of replacement.” The LCA compared the environmental impacts of the bamboo cutlery kit as compared to our previous petroleum-based polystyrene cutlery kit, and determined the bamboo cutlery kit has lower environmental impacts on a lifecycle basis than the polystyrene cutlery kit in eight out of 16 of the environmental impact categories studied, including climate change ^footnote1 and water use. ^{footnote2, footnote3}
• In June 2024, we were recognized in the Time 100 Most Influential Companies list for United Airlines Ventures, our first-of-its-kind investment fund dedicated to supporting technologies to help decarbonize aviation one day.
• In May 2024, United Airlines Ventures’ Sustainable Flight Fund was named the Investing winner of Fast Company’s 2024 World Changing Ideas list, recognized for the Fund’s forward-looking mission and scalable design.
• In March 2024, we received the No. 2 spot as Fast Company's "World’s Most Innovative Companies" award in the Corporate Social Responsibility category. The recognition highlights the UAV Sustainable Flight Fund, a first-of-its-kind investment fund designed to support startups innovating to help decarbonize air travel one day.
• In February 2024, we announced that the UAV Sustainable Flight Fund had added eight new corporate partners, who are now among the 22 corporate partners that make up the Fund that have, collectively, committed more than $200 million to the Fund to make investments in start-ups focused on decarbonizing air travel by accelerating the research, production and technologies associated with SAF. Over 115,000 United customers contributed nearly $500,000 to supplement United’s investment in the Fund.

• In May 2023, the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) approved our 2035 near-term emissions reduction target. This significant milestone represents independent, external validation that our near-term target is science-based. SBTi determined our near-term target ambition is in line with a trajectory that seeks to limit global warming to well below 2.0°C above pre-industrial levels. Our SBTi-approved target is our ambition to reduce scope 1, 2, and well-to-wake jet fuel GHG emissions, including scope 3 category 4, upstream transportation and distribution 50% per revenue tonne kilometer (RTK) by 2035 from a 2019 base year. ^{footnote4, footnote5}
  The GHG Protocol, the preeminent methodology for calculating GHG emissions, breaks Scope 3 emissions into 15 different categories. Our near-term emissions reduction target incorporates Scope 3, Category 3 emissions: GHG emissions from conventional jet fuel production, referred to as "well-to-tank" (WTT) emissions. This allows us to capture the full lifecycle emissions of conventional jet fuel usage, i.e. the "well-to-wake" (WTW) emissions which allows us to chart both Scope 1 and Scope 3 emissions reductions from conventional jet fuel. SAF lifecycle emissions are also reported on a WTW basis, with biogenic emissions from SAF combustion reported as a separate, non-scope line item. United’s emissions from regional partner airlines are also included in our near-term target and categorized under Scope 3, Category 4: Upstream Transportation and Distribution. For additional information on our GHG inventory and reporting, see our Corporate Responsibility Report.
• In February 2023, we launched the UAV Sustainable Flight Fund, a first-of-its-kind investment vehicle designed to support start-ups focused on decarbonizing air travel by accelerating the research, production and technologies associated with SAF.
• In February 2023, we became the first U.S. airline to show customers an estimate of each flight's carbon footprint in their search. Consumers who book travel through United for travel within or from the U.S. will now see an option to contribute to United’s sustainable flight account before check-out.
• In January 2023, United formed Blue Blade Energy, a joint venture with Tallgrass Energy and Green Plains to develop and then commercialize SAF technology that uses ethanol.

• In November 2022, United announced a strategic equity investment in Natron Energy, a battery manufacturer whose sodium-ion batteries have the potential to help United electrify its airport ground equipment like pushback tractors and operations at the gate.  United has made substantial investments in companies developing technology to reduce aircraft emissions, but Natron is the first that has the potential to help reduce the greenhouse gas footprint from United's ground operations.
• In September 2022, United announced an investment and a conditional purchase agreement with Eve Air Mobility for 200 four-seat electric aircraft plus 200 options, expecting the first deliveries as early as 2026 – becoming the first major airline to publicly invest in two eVTOL companies.
• In August 2022, United was the winner of the Environment, Social & Governance award. According to FlightGlobal, this award is given to an airline demonstrating "an unwavering commitment to the environment and sustainability, exhibited by the airline’s actions through any of the following: environmental protection and consciousness; embedding long-term sustainability objectives into business planning and culture; innovating with new technological or business developments to help achieve environmental goals; support of underprivileged classes or groups; humanitarian aid; and good corporate citizenship."
• In June 2022, United and United Airlines Ventures (UAV) announced an investment in and commercial agreement with Dimensional Energy – an additional carbon capture and utilization investment. Dimensional Energy’s power-to-liquids process makes SAF using renewable thermal energy to combine CO2 from the air with hydrogen from water.
• In May 2022, United signed a purchase agreement for the right to buy up to 52.5 million gallons of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™, produced from 100% sustainably sourced renewable waste and residue raw materials. This is the first time a U.S. airline has signed an international purchase agreement for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

• In December 2021, United became the largest airline to invest in zero-emission, hydrogen-electric engines for regional aircraft, through an equity stake in ZeroAvia.
• In November 2021, United participated in COP26, the UN's Climate Change Conference, with the only airline CEO in attendance, supporting net-zero emissions for air travel through the use of SAF and other technologies.
• July 2021, United Aviate Ventures (UAV) announced that along with Breakthrough Energy Ventures, we have invested in Heart Aerospace, an electric aircraft startup which is developing a 30-seat hybrid-electric aircraft.
• In July 2021, Air Transport World magazine named United its Eco-Airline of the Year for the second time since the award has been in existence and was awarded by Air Transport World as the top environmental honor for the third time.
• In April 2021, United announced the launch of the first-of-its-kind Eco-Skies Alliance, a group of global corporations that are contributing to purchase SAF to reduce their aviation-related impact on the environment. United announced the second round of corporations participating in its Eco-Skies Alliance program in December 2021.
• United was a founding member of the Biden Administration's First Movers Coalition, a collective of leading companies committing to purchasing low-carbon technologies in hard-to-abate sectors. As part of its membership, United has committed to a target goal of by 2030 replacing at least 5% of conventional jet fuel demand with SAF, which reduces lifecycle emissions up to 85% when compared with conventional jet fuel.

• In December 2020, we announced our new goal to be net zero by 2050 by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions 100% without relying on the use of voluntary carbon offsets. This superseded our goal set in 2018, where we became the first U.S. airline to commit to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, by 50% by 2050.
• In 2020, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) named United as the only airline globally to its 2020 Climate 'A List' for the airline's actions to cut emissions, mitigate climate risks and develop the low-carbon economy.

• In 2019, we operated the Flight for the Planet, which then represented the most-eco-friendly commercial flight of its kind in the history of commercial aviation.
• In 2016, we became the first airline globally to use SAF in regular operations on an ongoing basis by using a SAF-blend from World Energy for flights out of LAX.

At United, our purpose of "Connecting People. Uniting the World." extends beyond just getting you to your next destination. Our commitment to operating an environmentally responsible airline means acknowledging our climate impact and working to chart a more sustainable course for the future.

We recognize the role we play in contributing to climate change and our responsibility to help solve it. The aviation sector as a whole is responsible for around 3% of global GHG emissions. That's why we've embraced the goal of becoming net zero by reducing our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 100% by 2050 – without relying on the use of voluntary carbon offsets.

United was the first airline to commit to achieving net zero GHG emissions by 2050 without relying on the use of voluntary carbon offsets. And we have a mid-term goal of reducing our carbon intensity 50% compared to 2019 by 2035. Our strategy to achieve our climate goals is centered around four key pathways:

• Emitting less by using less;
• Adopt more sustainable alternatives;
• Improve operations beyond flights; and
• Collaborate with partners.

You may read more about each of these four pathways in our Corporate Responsibility Report (CRR). To learn how you can help our efforts, click here.

In some cases, we don’t know. In other cases, we have estimates of the dates by which these technologies could become part of our operation which are set forth below, but these are just estimates and not firm guarantees. We’re focused on taking thoughtful action today to reduce emissions by investing,on longer term bets that could reimagine how aviation works.

In 2021, we announced an agreement to work with Archer to accelerate production of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft that have the potential for future use as an “air taxi” in urban markets. These are not intended to replace United’s existing flights, but rather reduce vehicle traffic. Once the aircraft are in operation and have met United's operating and business requirements, United, together with Mesa Airlines, plans to acquire a fleet of up to 200 of these eVTOL aircraft. Archer’s goal is to launch consumer eVTOL flights beginning in 2025.

Heart Aerospace’s ES-30 is a 30-seat hybrid-electric aircraft that has the potential to fly customers with zero emissions when powered by renewable electricity. Once operational, the ES-30 would not be used for long-haul flights, but could operate on more than 100 of United's regional routes out of most of its hubs.

ZeroAvia is producing regional aircraft powered by hydrogen fuel cell power generation and electric propulsion system. The company has completed a number of test flights for its Dornier 228.

What is SAF? It’s a low-carbon alternative to regular, petroleum-based jet fuel, made from plants or waste like used cooking oil or animal grease. SAF is a ‘drop-in’ fuel, meaning it can be safely used in existing aircraft and airport systems without changes to the infrastructure. The SAF available today has up to 85% lower GHG emissions compared to regular jet fuel on a lifecycle basis, and potential SAF pathways under development by others could result in carbon negative SAF in the future.

It’s an alternative to regular, petroleum-based jet fuel, made from plants or waste like used cooking oil or animal grease. SAF is a ‘drop-in’ fuel, meaning it can be safely used in existing aircraft and airport systems without changes to the infrastructure. The SAF available today can reduce up to 85% lower GHG emissions compared to conventional jet fuel on a lifecycle basis, and SAF pathways under development could potentially result in carbon negative SAF on a lifecycle basis in the future, if existing regulations requiring the blending of SAF with conventional jet fuel are removed over time to facilitate the adoption of 100% SAF use. Currently, SAF is only available in very limited quantities, and it must be blended with conventional jet fuel to be used as fuel for an aircraft.

It’s an alternative to regular, petroleum-based jet fuel, made from plants or waste like used cooking oil or animal grease. SAF is a ‘drop-in’ fuel, meaning it can be safely used in existing aircraft and airport systems without changes to the infrastructure. The SAF available today can reduce up to 85% lower GHG emissions compared to conventional jet fuel on a lifecycle basis, and SAF pathways under development could potentially result in carbon negative SAF on a lifecycle basis in the future, if existing regulations requiring the blending of SAF with conventional jet fuel are removed over time to facilitate the adoption of 100% SAF use. Currently, SAF is only available in very limited quantities, and it must be blended with conventional jet fuel to be used as fuel for an aircraft.

We report our energy consumption data and GHG emissions in the environmental data section of our Corporate Responsibility Report, including conventional jet fuel consumption and SAF consumption. In general, SAF is less than 0.1% of United’s overall fuel use.

The aviation industry has a very long way to go to achieve its decarbonization goals as the SAF market is still in a very nascent stage. Decarbonizing aviation is an immense challenge that will require more than efforts by individual airlines.

Burning regular jet fuel does emit other pollutants – nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (soot), and sulfur gases – called non-CO2 emissions. Some of these pollutants may affect atmospheric composition and cloudiness which can contribute to climate change and are called non-CO2 impacts. SAF has lower levels of aromatics as compared to regular jet fuel, which may also reduce non-CO2 impacts from flying.

Contrails, or condensation trails, are the clouds sometimes produced by an aircraft engine’s exhaust, typically at cruising altitude in the upper atmosphere. They are composed primarily of ice crystals and, according to the U.S. EPA, do not pose health risks to humans. Certain contrails that persist and spread out, are of concern, as they create clouds that, on balance, may contribute to climate change.²In 2023, United supported a science experiment in the sky with Boeing, NASA, DLR, FAA and GE Aerospace, aimed at understanding how SAF and advanced engine combustor designs can affect the characteristics of contrails and local air quality. United remain committed to continue working with others within the industry to help improve the science around the climate change impact of contrails and non-CO2 impacts, and develop solutions.

² This is not a straightforward issue, as clouds both trap heat already on earth and reflect heat from the sun back into space, resulting in cooling. However, the heating force from the clouds is believed to be greater than the cooling force.

While flying less would reduce our GHG emissions quickly, we don’t think this is a common-sense path forward for the industry. If all airlines had to decrease the size of their operations and become smaller, they wouldn’t have the funds needed to invest in the new technologies to decarbonize aviation.

Also, our mission is to connect people and unite the world. As a result, we view aviation as necessary for a functional, civil society, to promote peace and collaboration across borders, and national security. Trains, cars, trucks, and ships can’t transport people and things as quickly as an aircraft, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. When our aircraft were needed for those critical missions where time was of the essence, we stepped up. We transported 82 million pounds of crucial medical equipment and PPE during the pandemic. We also transported approximately 3.7 million 8-ounce bottle equivalents of baby formula during a national shortage. Finally, we were proud to transport Afghan refugees in 2021 as part of the U.S. government’s Civil Reserve Air Fleet. None of this would have been possible without airlines.