Partial photo: Nick Morales
By better coasting on the jet streams that circle the globe, airplanes could easily cut fuel use and emissions. Flights flying west from Europe to the U.S. could use up to 8% less fuel, while those going eastward could use up to 16% less fuel. The simple route changes could be done safely using available technology. By using more flexible routes, aircraft could take advantage of high-altitude air currents to their benefit when going east, and avoid headwinds that slow them down when going the other direction. A few airlines have started using biofuel blends. Small hybrid-electric and battery electric aircraft are starting to take off, and Airbus is looking into hydrogen-powered zero-emissions aircraft. But coasting on the jet streams could be an immediate fix.
www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2021/02/airplanes-could-cut-emissions-by-wind-surfing-better/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=airplanes-could-cut-emissions-by-wind-surfing-better&utm_source=Anthropocene&utm_campaign=12f6474a0c-Anthropocene+science+to+AM&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ececcea89a-12f6474a0c-294331733
Source: Cathie A Wells et al. Reducing transatlantic flight emissions by fuel-optimised routing. Environmental Research Letters, 2021.