United Airlines, Inc., commonly referred to as United, is a major American airline headquartered in the United States. Founded in 1926, United has grown to become one of the largest airlines in the world, with a significant presence in North America, Asia, and Europe. The airline operates a vast network of domestic and international flights, offering passengers a range of services that include economy, business, and first-class travel. United Airlines is renowned for its commitment to customer service and operational efficiency, boasting a modern fleet equipped with advanced technology. The airline's loyalty programme, MileagePlus, is a key differentiator, providing frequent flyers with valuable rewards. With a strong market position, United continues to achieve notable milestones, including sustainability initiatives and innovations in air travel, solidifying its reputation as a leader in the aviation industry.
How does United Airlines, Inc.'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, Inc.'s score of 65 is higher than 93% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2024, United Airlines, Inc. reported total carbon emissions of approximately 52,239,731,000 kg CO2e. This figure includes Scope 1 emissions of about 38,520,027,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 emissions of approximately 134,497,000 kg CO2e (market-based), and Scope 3 emissions of around 12,671,510,000 kg CO2e. The previous year, 2023, saw total emissions of about 42,000,000,000 kg CO2e, with Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions not fully disclosed. United Airlines has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming to reduce its Scope 1, 2, and well-to-wake jet fuel greenhouse gas emissions by 50% per revenue ton kilometre (RTK) by 2035, using 2019 as the baseline year. This target has been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and reflects the company's long-term strategy to mitigate its environmental impact. The emissions data for United Airlines is cascaded from its parent company, United Airlines Holdings, Inc., which oversees the company's sustainability initiatives and reporting. The airline's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint aligns with industry standards and reflects a growing trend among airlines to address climate change proactively.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 34,413,871,000 | 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 | 8,538,309,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 |
United Airlines, Inc.'s Scope 3 emissions, which increased by 69% last year and increased by approximately 48% since 2019, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Their carbon footprint includes suppliers and value chain emissions, with Scope 3 emissions accounting for 25% of total emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Fuel and Energy Related Activities" being the largest emissions source at 62% of Scope 3 emissions.
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
United Airlines, Inc. has not publicly committed to specific 2030 or 2050 climate goals through the major frameworks we track. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.