How are private jet CO₂ emissions calculated?
It all starts with fuel. Burning one kilogram of jet fuel produces about 3.16 kg of CO₂ – a fixed physical ratio that applies to every aircraft. What matters is how much fuel a jet burns on the route.
Fuel burn depends mainly on the aircraft class: a Pilatus PC-12 uses a fraction of what an ultra long range jet such as the Gulfstream G650 needs per hour. The calculator multiplies the class’s typical hourly fuel burn by the time in the air and converts it into emissions – for a one-way flight or a return trip.
Why emissions per passenger vary so much
A jet with two passengers on board burns hardly less fuel than with seven. The flight’s emissions are therefore shared among the travellers: the fuller the cabin, the smaller each person’s share.
That is why the calculator shows not only the figure for your group but also the CO₂ per passenger with every seat taken. Even then a private jet is usually well above an airline flight per person, because airliners carry far more people per litre of fuel. The most effective levers are choosing a class that fits rather than an oversized one and filling the cabin.
What does SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) achieve?
SAF is a sustainable aviation fuel produced, for example, from used cooking oil, waste residues or with renewable electricity. It is blended with conventional jet fuel and can be used in today’s engines without modification.
Burning SAF in the engine releases a similar amount of CO₂ as jet fuel. The saving comes over the full lifecycle, because the carbon does not come from fossil sources. How large it is depends on the feedstock and production pathway. SAF is also not available at every airport – the operator confirms before the flight whether a blend is possible.
Offsetting CO₂ – and its limits
With offsetting you fund projects that avoid or remove CO₂ elsewhere, such as reforestation or renewable energy. Certificate prices vary widely by standard, project type and provider, so the calculator lets you enter your own price per tonne.
Offsetting does not make a flight emission-free: the CO₂ is still released, and the quality of individual projects is documented to very different degrees. Look for recognised standards and independent verification. The most effective approach remains avoiding emissions in the first place – with a class that fits, a well-filled cabin and flights that operate anyway.
How we calculate
- Fuel: the class’s typical cruise fuel burn (kg per hour) multiplied by time in the air. Taxi time on the ground is not included.
- Time in the air: great-circle distance plus 5% for airways, divided by the class’s typical cruise speed, plus 15 minutes of climb and descent per leg. Return trips count twice.
- CO₂: 3.16 kg of CO₂ per kg of jet fuel. Per passenger: total emissions divided by the number of passengers.
- SAF: the blended share reduces lifecycle CO₂ emissions by 80% of that share (example: a 30% SAF blend gives 24% less CO₂).
- Airline comparison: CO₂ per passenger-kilometre in economy on the route including the 5% routing allowance – 0.115 kg below 1,500 km, 0.095 kg up to 4,000 km and 0.085 kg beyond. Business class uses a factor of 1.5 below 1,500 km and 2.9 above, reflecting the larger seat.
- Offsetting: total emissions in tonnes multiplied by the price per tonne you enter.
- Non-CO₂ effects such as contrails and nitrogen oxides are not included; they add to the climate impact of flying.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does a private jet emit per hour?
It depends on the class. Using our typical fuel burn values, a light jet such as the Citation CJ3+ emits about 1.3 tonnes of CO₂ per flight hour, a heavy jet about 4.1 tonnes and an ultra long range jet around 5.7 tonnes. Individual models, payload and altitude cause deviations.
What are private jet emissions per passenger?
The flight’s total emissions are divided by the number of passengers. With four people on board, each person’s share is a quarter of what it would be flying alone. Enter your route and group size in the calculator to see the figure for your flight.
Is a private jet worse for the climate than an airline flight?
Per person, as a rule yes – even with every seat taken. An airliner carries far more people per kilogram of fuel. The calculator shows the comparison with economy and business class on the same route.
Does an empty leg reduce emissions?
An empty leg is a flight that operates anyway – for example when a jet returns to its base or repositions for its next charter. Booking it does not add a flight; it fills seats on a route that would otherwise be flown empty. That flight’s emissions still occur, but no additional flight is created.
Is an offset flight carbon neutral?
No. Offsetting balances emissions on paper through projects elsewhere; the flight’s own emissions remain. Most offers also cover only CO₂ and not the additional climate impact of contrails and nitrogen oxides.
Can I book my private jet flight with SAF?
Yes, if the departure airport offers SAF and the operator sources it. Availability varies considerably by region. Ask directly when you request a charter – the operator can tell you what share is realistic on your route.