Earlier this year, Air Transport World (ATW), an online and print trade publication focused on global airline and commercial air transport news and information, announced American Airlines as the 2023 Eco-Airline of the Year. The award recognizes American’s extensive fleet renewal effort—the most extensive in industry history—and its substantial investments in sustainable fuel.
“American is actively incorporating sustainability at every level of our business, from the fuel we buy to the food we serve our customers,” says American CEO Robert Isom in a prepared statement. “And our all-the-above approach is just getting started. As Eco-Airline of the Year, we will continue to lead the industry as an innovator in this space and affirm our unyielding commitment to build an American Airlines that will thrive forever.”
Photo by Markus Mainka, courtesy of Adobe Stock
Regarding American’s ongoing fleet renewal efforts, half of its mainline aircrafts are less than 10 years old—saving nearly 2 billion gallons of fuel and preventing the release of 19 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. American also leads the industry in sustainable aviation fuel consumption, using 2 million gallons of it in 2022. In addition, American Airlines has received recognition from both the Science Based Targets initiative and the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index 2022 for its carbon-reduction goals—seeking to reduce its carbon intensity by 45% by 2035.
The ATW award was selected by a panel of editors and analysts at the media company, aimed at celebrating “excellence across a broad range of airline operations,” according to a prepared statement. The accolade is a coveted accomplishment in the industry.
“At a time when sustainability is a driving force in the aviation industry, American Airlines has a clear vision for the future of sustainable aviation and is making meaningful strides to reach their goals,” says Karen Walker, ATW editor-in-chief. “With a comprehensive carbon emissions reduction strategy that touches nearly every part of their company, awarding Eco-Airline of the Year to American is incredibly well-deserved in what was the most competitive field yet.”
