Flight Carbon Footprint Estimator
Estimate CO2 emissions for any flight by entering distance or selecting a city pair.
How flight emissions are calculated
This tool uses the widely-cited ICAO methodology adapted for per-passenger estimates.
Context: what does your flight footprint mean?
The average Indian generates about 1.9 tonnes CO2/year from all sources. A single long-haul flight can equal several months of that budget.
An average Indian car emits roughly 1,800 kg CO2/year. A Delhi–London economy flight emits ~1,700 kg — nearly a full year of driving.
One mature tree absorbs approximately 21 kg CO2/year. Offsets via verified schemes (Gold Standard, Verra) are more reliable than simple tree planting.
Frequently asked questions
Why does cabin class affect emissions?
The total emissions from a flight are fixed regardless of who is on board. But business and first class seats take up 2–4× more floor space than economy seats, so when you allocate emissions per unit of cabin space, premium passengers get a larger share.
Are these emissions per person?
Yes. All figures are per passenger, assuming a typical load factor of around 80%.
Is flying worse than driving?
For short distances (under 400 km), a car with multiple passengers often has a lower per-person footprint than flying. For longer distances, direct flights usually beat driving. Train travel is consistently the lowest-carbon option in India.
How do I offset my flight emissions?
Purchase carbon offsets from verified schemes such as Gold Standard or Verra VCS. Many airlines now offer this at booking. The cost is typically ₹500–2,000 for a domestic flight.
Why is short-haul worse per km?
Most aviation fuel is burned during takeoff, climb, and the first portion of cruise. On a short flight, these phases represent a higher fraction of total fuel burn than on a long-haul flight.