It's sexy, it's fast, and it's a whole lot more glamorous than riding coach. Private jets are the top choice for celebrities to fly these days—but is it always the best one to make?
Before the advent of private jets, the most glamorous flying experience was in first class. There are spacious seats, a welcome drink, and plenty of food during long-haul flights. But these days, those who can afford it are opting for a much more indulgent experience: private jets. They're everywhere on Instagram and have become a coveted way to get around to both domestic and international destinations. But it comes at a price—and we're not just talking about its financial cost.
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Air travel has been deemed as one of the least environmentally friendly ways to get around. Much worse than cars, airplanes emit a jaw-dropping amount of carbon up in the air. For example, a flight from Manila to Singapore will generate about 353 kg of CO2. Flights to countries much further will obviously produce even more.
What's worse than the amount of CO2 produced is where the CO2 is released. Since planes fly high up in the air, emissions stay in the atmosphere and have a more potent climate impact due to chemical reactions and atmospheric effects. Planes don't just emit CO2 either; other aviation emissions include nitrogen oxides, particulates, contrails, and cirrus changes adding to the environmental detriment.
Of course, these aren't things that laypeople—or even celebrities—often keep in mind. Low airline prices and an "Instagram-worthy" lifestyle will cloud anyone's judgement.
