Which airline is most eco-friendly?

California-based airline Virgin America was recently named “Most Eco-Friendly Airline” in the SmarterTravel Editors’ Choice Awards.

“As a new airline and the only California-based carrier, we’ve made sustainable practices a focus in our operations and training from day one,” said David Cush, President and CEO of Virgin America. “Although no airline can be perfect, we’re pleased to be recognized for our green efforts to date and we will continue to make environmental best practices part and parcel of our business model as we grow.”

Since its launch, Virgin America has operated a brand new fleet that is up to 25% more fuel and carbon efficient than the average fleet flying domestically. The airline employs practices such as single engine taxiing, maximizing use of efficient ground power, utilizing advanced avionics to fly more efficiently, and cost index flying — the practice of regulating cruising speeds to reduce fuel burn.

It is also the first airline to list its carbon footprint according to internationally-accepted standards via The Climate Registry. The airline is also the first to offer guests the ability to offset the carbon footprint of their flight — in-flight via the touch-screen Red seatback entertainment through partner Carbonfund.org.

Brief history of eco awareness

At its 2007 inception, Virgin America moved into its Burlingame, California headquarters (built in 1995), from which the airline worked with their landlord Equity Office Partners to ensure that the building would be retrofitted to meet LEED Silver standards. The project was complete at the end of 2009 and was approved earlier this month by the U.S. Green Buildings Counsel. Virgin America voluntarily offsets its headquarters footprint on an annual basis.

The company also published its first annual Climate Report in 2009, which included an overview of its industry-leading sustainability efforts as well as comprehensive 2008 emissions data for all six internationally-recognized greenhouse gases (GHGs). The report also benchmarks the airline’s leading performance versus other domestic carriers.

The airline also runs recycling initiatives (recycling in-flight waste from nearly 50% of its flights); efforts that it intends to expand throughout 2010.

Future growth

Virgin America has experienced rapid expansion since its 2007 launch – currently employing over 1600 “teammates” with plans to double its base over the next three years.

In addition to Virgin America’s corporate growth, the airline is expanding its presence at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) by becoming one of two anchor tenants in the airport’s new Terminal 2 facility.

The $383 million Terminal 2 project is also anticipated to achieve Silver LEED Certification — and when completed in 2011, will serve as the home base of San Francisco’s only hometown airline. Designed to improve indoor air quality and reduce energy consumption, the innovative sustainable elements included in Terminal 2 will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the facility by an estimated 1,667 tons per year. In addition — Terminal 2 will offer preferential parking for hybrid cars and the first airport dining program in the country to recruit Slow Food® vendors.

“We worked hard to make our headquarters operation as environmentally efficient as possible through recycling and electric and water efficiency upgrades, and we’re proud to have that same focus on sustainable operations reflected in the design of our new home at SFO’s Terminal 2,” said Len Sloper, Manager of Corporate Real Estate for Virgin America. “SFO has been a great partner in this project and we’re excited to share this new terminal with our guests.”