United Airlines, officially known as United Airlines, Inc., is a prominent American airline headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1926, it has grown to become one of the largest carriers in the world, serving a vast network across North America, Europe, Asia, and beyond. Operating in the aviation industry, United Airlines offers a range of services, including passenger and cargo transport, with a focus on providing a seamless travel experience. Its core products include domestic and international flights, loyalty programmes, and premium cabin services, distinguished by a commitment to customer satisfaction and innovation. As a key player in the airline sector, United Airlines has achieved numerous milestones, including being a founding member of the Star Alliance, which enhances its global reach. With a strong market position, it continues to adapt and evolve, ensuring it meets the needs of modern travellers.
How does United Airlines's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Mean score of companies in the Air Transport industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
United Airlines's score of 71 is higher than 92% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2024, United Airlines reported total carbon emissions of approximately 36,590,472,000 kg CO2e from Scope 1, 143,991,000 kg CO2e from Scope 2, and 12,671,510,000 kg CO2e from Scope 3. This reflects a commitment to reducing its carbon intensity by 50% by 2035, compared to 2019 levels, across both Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. The airline's emissions data is sourced from United Airlines Holdings, Inc., ensuring consistency in reporting. In 2023, the airline's total emissions were about 49,406,001,000 kg CO2e, with Scope 1 emissions at 36,590,472,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 at 144,019,000 kg CO2e, and Scope 3 at 12,671,510,000 kg CO2e. The previous year, 2022, saw total emissions of approximately 43,893,642,000 kg CO2e, indicating a trend in emissions management. United Airlines has set ambitious targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), aiming for a 50% reduction in Scope 1, 2, and well-to-wake jet fuel GHG emissions per revenue ton kilometer (RTK) by 2035, using 2019 as the baseline year. This commitment includes emissions from upstream transportation and distribution, highlighting the airline's comprehensive approach to sustainability. The airline's strategy also encompasses a commitment to report annually on its efforts to mitigate non-CO2e impacts of aviation, demonstrating a proactive stance in addressing climate change. United Airlines's initiatives reflect a broader industry trend towards enhanced transparency and accountability in carbon emissions management.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scope 1 | 34,406,941,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 |
Scope 2 | 189,682,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
Scope 3 | 17,481,978,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 |
Companies disclose and commit to reducing emissions to show they are serious about reducing emissions impact over time. They can also help a company track its progress over time.
United Airlines is participating in some of the initiatives that we track. This may change over time as the company engages with new initiatives or updates its commitments. DitchCarbon will update this information as it becomes available.