Aviation contributes two percent of all carbon dioxide emissions worldwide. It also accounts for twelve percent of all emissions produced by transportation, surpassing other methods including cars, trains and shipping. Because it’s considered a major contributor to rising CO2 levels, many regulators and industry leaders are actively looking for sustainability enhancements to make aviation greener.
Constructing airplanes with eco-friendly materials, switching from fossil fuels to biofuels and installing energy-efficiency IFE systems are all potential solutions being considered to alleviate concerns pertaining to aviation’s impact on climate change.
Types of Eco-Friendly Cabin Construction Materials
- Recycled Plastics: Recycled plastics, such as water bottles and wrappers, are utilized to compose various cabin components, including seat covers, tray tables and overhead bins.
- Recycled Textiles: Recycled textiles, which are constructed from reused polyester, nylon or other fibers, are being explored as a sustainable material for seat covers, curtains and carpeting in cabins.
- Bamboo: Bamboo is a sustainable alternative to traditional, high environmental impact materials like hardwood. A lightweight and renewable resource, it’s becoming a popular material for flooring, paneling and trim in aircraft cabins that promotes sustainability as well as faster travel times. Some cabin innovators have even started experimenting with bamboo packaging for in-flight meals.
- Cork: Cork is another renewable option for cabin flooring and wall coverings since it can be harvested from the back of cork oak trees without harming them.
How Can Airplanes Be More Eco-Friendly?
Even if planes are constructed with eco-friendly materials, that investment can go to waste if other environmentally friendly protocols aren’t implemented once the finished product takes flight. For instance, bio-based plastics are being explored as a potential alternative to single-use plastics for the cups, utensils and amenity kits commonly given to passengers during long flights. Made from renewable sources like cornstarch or sugarcane, bio-based plastics may reduce landfill waste after disposal.
On a larger scale, airlines are investigating sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) made from renewable sources like biofuels or synthetic fuels as an alternative to conventional jet fuel. SAFs reportedly have the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gasses long-term, decreasing flight emissions by up to 94 percent.
The aviation industry is also trying to enhance sustainability by limiting fuel consumption in general. Airlines are cutting down on operational emissions by finding time-efficient flight routes and reducing aircraft weight with lightweight construction materials. Put simply, they’re aiming to use fewer resources to meet the growing demand for air travel.
How Premium IFE Systems Can Promote Sustainability in Cabins
Advanced in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems can provide further ways for aviation to reduce their carbon footprint, especially when they’ve been optimized for efficiency and performance by the trusted engineers at Rosen Aviation.
IFE systems have allowed airlines to reduce their paper waste. By offering thousands of movies, TV shows and digital books/audiobooks through seatback screens or a flyer’s own devices, airlines are able to significantly reduce the number of magazines and paper materials on each aircraft.
Since advanced IFE systems and modern displays are slimmer and lighter than their previous iterations, they also help limit aircraft weight, leading to faster air travel times, lowered fuel usage and decreased emissions.
We design our IFE systems to maximize energy efficiency without compromising performance or safety. Modern LED screens and alternative power sources like fiber optic networks help minimize energy consumption. Moreover, this enhanced sustainability can extend the hardware’s lifespan, delaying replacement, waste disposal and its notable impact on the environment – with the added benefit of simultaneously reducing operating costs.
Elevate Your Aircraft With Lauded, High-Resolution IFE Displays Optimized With Passenger Comfort in Mind
At Rosen Aviation, we’ll outfit your aircraft cabin with bespoke IFE systems that strike an ideal balance between energy efficiency, peak operational performance and guaranteed passenger comfort. For over 40 years, our dedicated engineers have taken pride in delivering top-of-the-line technology integration personalized to suit each aircraft – and we’ll ensure your IFE technology benefits from the same sophisticated craftsmanship.
Learn more about how we can enhance your aircraft with customized IFE solutions by calling 1-888-668-4955, or sending us a message today.