Price comparison site, Directflights.com has developed a flight search mechanism which allows holidaymakers to search not only for the cheapest deal but for the most carbon friendly flights, all at the touch of a button.
The site compares up-to-the minute, live prices for flights, hotels, holidays and car rental, searching over 500 airlines and 250,000 hotels to find the best available deals. Using the latest technology, results are delivered quickly and clearly in an easy to read grid. As well as being listed by price, flights can also be shown with their individual carbon rating, allowing consumers to see immediately which flight has the lowest carbon emissions resulting in the overall lowest impact on the environment.
The Carbon Friendly Flight Search has been developed as a joint initiative with the Directflights.com and the Carbon Consultancy. Each airline on the Directflights.com site is evaluated and given a carbon rating from 1 – 9. The improved tool now features more airlines than ever, providing more choice for travellers.
Rob Stross, Managing Director of Directflights.com said "Our site is all about choice – if a consumer wants the cheap flights then we will find that for them, saving both time and money. However, Our Carbon Friendly Flight Search option really empowers consumers; giving them the information they need to make a considered purchase and enabling them to opt for airlines whose flights have a lower impact on the environment. We expect this facility to be extremely popular in 2011 as consumers search for the best prices and balance this with the most ethical flight options".
To calculate the ratings, the Carbon Consultancy examines the published long haul fleets for individual airlines, EU aircraft consumption data, and UK government fuel to emission conversion values. The emissions result from the amount of fuel burned during a flight, depending on the aircraft used, along with other factors such as available seats and performance factors. From this information, an overall emissions footprint is calculated for each aircraft.
Hugo Kimber from the Carbon Consultancy said "We are delighted to be working with Directflights.com. The Carbon Friendly Flight Search option will be an asset to consumers and will help promote and raise awareness of the most carbon efficient airlines".
A key consideration when selecting the greenest possible flights is to always fly direct. An indirect flight can increase the carbon impact up to an incredible 29 per cent - more if a flight has multiple stops. An all-economy flight is also less carbon intensive than those with additional business or first class seating. The fewer seats on an aircraft, the higher the likely carbon rating. For example, a long haul, two class plane is more efficient, per person, than a four class plane of the same type.
EXAMPLE
Flying return to New York this summer in June the flight with the lowest carbon friendly rating is with Virgin Atlantic from £376. This option is only £41 more expensive than the cheapest but less environmentally friendly flight.
To book or check-out the carbon friendly ratings for popular cities and holiday destinations for 2011 visit www.Directflights.com.
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Price comparison site, Directflights.com has developed a flight search mechanism which allows holidaymakers to search not only for the cheap flights deal but for the most carbon friendly flights, all at the touch of a button.
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