# Flight Carbon Footprint Calculator

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/ecology/flight-co2/
Last updated: 2026-10-25

> The flight carbon calculator estimates the CO₂ emissions of a flight per passenger from the distance, cabin class and whether it is a round trip, using typical emission factors per passenger-kilometre.

## Inputs

- One-way distance (km, mi)
- Cabin class
- Trip
- Emission factor (kg CO₂/pkm) — Long-haul economy averages are around 0.15; short flights are higher per km.

## Results

- CO₂ per passenger
- Tree-years to absorb (≈21 kg/yr)

## Formula

```
CO₂ = distance × factor × class multiplier × trips
```

## Explanation

Flying is one of the most carbon-intensive personal activities. Premium seats take more space and so carry a larger share of emissions.

### How to use the Flight Carbon Footprint Calculator

- **One-way distance**
- **Cabin class**
- **Trip**
- **Emission factor** — Long-haul economy averages are around 0.15; short flights are higher per km.

Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.

### How it works

Distance is multiplied by an emission factor per passenger-kilometre and by a class weighting.

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterOne-way distanceUnits: km, miCabin classChoose one: Economy, Premium economy, Business, FirstTripChoose one: One way, Round tripEmission factorIn kg CO₂/pkm. Long-haul economy averages are around 0.15; short flights are higher per km.

### What each result means

- **CO₂ per passenger** = [One-way distance]×[Emission factor]×[Cabin class]×[Trip]
- **Tree-years to absorb (≈21 kg/yr)** = [CO₂ per passenger]÷21

### Example values

How the main result changes when **One-way distance** changes and everything else stays at the example values above:

One-way distance (km)CO₂ per passenger (kg)2,7508254,1251,2385,5001,6506,8752,0638,2502,47511,0003,300

## Worked example

Inputs — One-way distance: 5,500 km; Cabin class: Economy; Trip: Round trip; Emission factor: 0.15 kg CO₂/pkm.

Results — **CO₂ per passenger = 1,650 kg**; Tree-years to absorb (≈21 kg/yr) = 79.

## FAQ

**Does this include non-CO₂ effects?**
No; contrails and NOx add warming that some methods include with a multiplier.

**Why are short flights worse per km?**
Take-off and climb use a lot of fuel.

**What formula does the Flight Carbon Footprint Calculator use?**
CO₂ = distance × factor × class multiplier × trips.


## Sources

- [UK DESNZ – Greenhouse gas reporting conversion factors](https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-conversion-factors-for-company-reporting)