Sustainability
We believe that flying is one of humankind’s greatest achievements.
However, we also know it comes with an environmental cost and now, more than ever, we need to take action to tackle the impact it has on our planet.
That’s why we’ve set out on our most important journey yet - to a better, more sustainable future. We call it BA Better World.
Everyone who joins British Airways has a role to play in delivering our sustainability vision and help drive positive change in the communities we serve around the world.
Our flightpath to net zero
At British Airways we’re committed to net zero by 2050 or sooner, driving urgent action on reducing our impact on the environment. We know that this won’t be simple, but we have a clear roadmap of short, medium, and long-term initiatives to get there. Here are just some of the ways we’re making a difference.
New technology
We're already investing in new aircraft that are up to 40 percent more fuel efficient than those they replace, and which will help deliver about a third of our emission reductions by 2050.
Sustainable aviation fuel
SAF is a crucial part of our plans to de-carbonise. It can reduce our lifecycle emissions by over 80 percent, which is why we were the first airline in the world to use SAF produced on a commercial scale in the UK on our aircraft at London Heathrow.
Renewable energy
We're accelerating the transformation of our ground vehicles at London Heathrow, powering our electric fleet with 100 percent renewable energy.
On board
If you've flown with us, you’ll know that we’re working hard to reduce single-use plastic on board our aircraft. That includes the introduction of new amenity kits with less plastic and even duvets made from recycled water bottles.
Responsible Business
We're incredibly proud of our Community Investment programme, which marks our commitment to investing in communities across our network and providing life-changing opportunities to help those who need it most.
Flying Start
Since 2010, British Airways customers and colleagues have raised over £28 million through our Flying Start partnership with Comic Relief. These donations have supported over one million people facing poverty around the world, and supported projects providing essential healthcare, as well as vital life and work skills to young people.
BA Better World Community Fund
We launched the BA Better World Community Fund in April 2022 to create life-changing opportunities in communities across the UK. Since then the fund has donated around £5 million to almost 200 causes. Our key partnerships include Alzheimer’s Society, Prince’s Trust, Energy Garden, Fantasy Wings and British Red Cross.
Disasters Emergency Committee
British Airways has partnered with the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) for over 10 years. During this period, our colleagues and customers have raised £2 million to support vulnerable people in times of emergency. This includes the Afghanistan crisis and natural disasters such as the Nepal earthquake.
Colleague Community Champion programme
More than 4000 British Airways colleagues have volunteered to become Flying Start champions, taking on all manner of fundraising challenges including marathons and skydives. Our colleagues have also volunteered at projects across the UK including foodbanks, homeless projects, and community gardens.
Payroll Giving programme
We’re currently helping over 2,900 colleagues donate to 600 different causes through their payroll, generating nearly £1 million a year in charitable giving. In 2023, we maintained our Gold Accredited Standard for our Payroll Giving scheme. The top charities supported by colleagues are Cancer Research UK, NSPCC, Save the Children, and Macmillan.
Match funding
We support our colleagues with a match giving programme, offering small grants to charities in recognition of colleagues’ personal fundraising and volunteering.
Discover more
Find out more about what we're doing to deliver a better, more sustainable future.