Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited, commonly known as Virgin Atlantic, is a prominent British airline headquartered in Crawley, GB. Founded in 1984, the airline has established itself as a key player in the international aviation industry, primarily operating transatlantic flights between the UK and North America, as well as select routes to the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia. Renowned for its innovative approach to air travel, Virgin Atlantic offers a range of services, including Economy, Premium, and Upper Class cabins, each designed to provide a unique flying experience. The airline is celebrated for its exceptional customer service and stylish onboard amenities, setting it apart from competitors. With a strong market position, Virgin Atlantic has achieved numerous accolades, solidifying its reputation as a leader in the premium travel sector.
DitchCarbon Score
How does Virgin Atlantic'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.
Industry Average
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.
Industry Benchmark
Virgin Atlantic's score of 15 is higher than 80% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Virgin Atlantic's reported carbon emissions
In 2023, Virgin Atlantic reported total carbon emissions of approximately 4,653,960,000 kg CO2e. This figure includes Scope 1 emissions of about 3,520,093,000 kg CO2e, primarily from mobile combustion, and Scope 3 emissions of around 1,133,867,000 kg CO2e, which encompass various indirect emissions. The airline's emissions have fluctuated over the years, with a notable decrease from 2020's emissions of approximately 2,177,529,000 kg CO2e, reflecting a significant reduction in operational activity during the pandemic. Virgin Atlantic has not publicly committed to specific reduction targets or initiatives as part of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) or other climate pledges. However, the airline continues to explore sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and other innovations to mitigate its environmental impact. The company is focused on improving its carbon intensity metrics, such as reducing CO2 emissions per revenue tonne kilometre, which is a critical measure in the aviation industry. Overall, while Virgin Atlantic's emissions data indicates a complex trajectory, the absence of formal reduction targets suggests an opportunity for the airline to enhance its climate commitments and align with industry standards for sustainability.
Unlock detailed emissions data
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
Add to project| 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 4,879,219,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 8,547,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | - | 0,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | 1,017,147,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 |
Industry emissions intensity
Location emissions intensity
Reduction initiatives & disclosure networks
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.
Virgin Atlantic is committed to some reduction initiatives 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.
