Sustainability

Our responsibility

“Our heart beats for flying. Because it brings people from different cultures and nationalities around the world together. And because it contributes to freedom, peace and prosperity. At Eurowings, this passion for flying is strongly linked to our sense of responsibility for the environment and society. We know that the future of air transport must be closely aligned with an active commitment to climate protection.

That’s why an integral part of our strategy is to develop our business model responsibly for the benefit of the environment, people and society. Together with the Lufthansa Group, we strive to act responsibly and make a range of commitments to more sustainability on every step of your journey and to our goal of CO2-neutral flying in the near future. Through reduction and compensation measures we aim to achieve a neutral CO2 balance by 2050. Already by 2030, we want to halve our net CO2 emissions compared to 2019 through reduction and compensation measures. However, we are already making enormous progress on the way there, for example with the flotation of the world's most efficient medium-haul jets, the Airbus A320/321neo. Future generations can then also dream and travel without limits.”

Jens Bischof, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Eurowings

Our newbie: A321neo

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We are taking responsibility for the environment and climate.

We continuously work to minimise our impact on the environment using investments, optimised cockpit procedures and modern technologies.

We keep the environment in mind

Our new PlanetBlu packages make it easy for you to reduce and offset the CO2 emissions from your flight. You can easily add the new packages with a click while booking your flight. You can choose between:

Blaues Blatt mit Flugzeug

PlanetBlu Light

5% of the flight-related CO2 emissions are reduced by sustainable fuels, the remaining 95% are offset by contributing to high-quality climate conservation projects.

Zwei blaue Blätter mit Flugzeugen

PlanetBlu Plus

10% of the flight-related CO2 emissions are reduced by sustainable fuels, the remaining 90% are offset by contributing to high-quality climate conservation projects.

PlanetBlu Pro

Drei Blaue Blätter mit Flugzeugen

Sustainable fuels reduce 50% of the flight-related CO2 emissions, and 50% of flight-related CO2 emissions are offset by contributing to high-quality climate conservation projects.

 

Thank you for PlanetBlu per booking: free hot drink on board

As a thank you for booking a PlanetBlu Pro package, you will receive a free hot drink (tea or Dallmayr coffee) on board. Tip: Bring your own reusable cup to help protect the environment even more.

Fly Blu and collect additional points

Reduce and offset your flights' carbon footprint easily with our PlanetBlu packages. Add a PlanetBlu Plus or PlanetBlu Pro package to your next flight booking with just one click and benefit from up to 50% extra pointsQualifying Points, and HON Circle Points1 for your flights with Miles & More until 30 November.

Investitionen in Eurowings A320neo

Investments in new and modern aircraft

Investments in new and modern aircraft

Eurowings has added 8 A320neos and 5 A321neos to its fleet since March 2022. Every new plane of this type in operation will emit 4,500 fewer tonnes of CO2 per year compared to the previous model. Eurowings is the first and only airline in the Lufthansa Group to equip all 13 neos with LEAP (Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion) engines from CFM. Thanks to the new, significantly larger engines, 3,700 tonnes of CO2 can be saved per plane, per year. Due to the reduced fuel consumption, the neo can travel around 500 kilometres further than its predecessor. The 2.40-metre-long wingtip devices, known as sharklets, save an additional 800 tonnes of CO2 per plane, per year. These are similar to rear spoilers on a car. On the route between Düsseldorf and Rome, for example, the improved aerodynamics reduce fuel consumption by around four per cent. This means that Eurowings is flying the quietest and most efficient medium-haul jet in the world. Operating state-of-the-art aircraft is the biggest leverage we have for achieving our ambitious climate goals.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel

The use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, or SAF for short, reduces CO₂ emissions from flying by at least 80 percent compared to fossil fuels. SAF is made from biogenic waste sourced from renewable materials, such as used cooking oils. SAF is a crucial pillar in the transformation towards more sustainable aviation. The Lufthansa Group, of which Eurowings is a part, centrally organizes the purchase of SAF. In 2021, the group secured SAF worth $250 million to meet the increasing demand in the coming years.

SAF is blended with conventional aviation fuel at Lufthansa Group airports and flows into the aircraft during the refueling process. Using SAF directly reduces carbon emissions rather than compensating for them through other means. The technological complexity of SAF results in a significantly higher cost per ton of reduced CO₂ compared to carbon offsetting solutions.

Here you can find more information about SAF and how it is used at Eurowings.

Aircraft with Sustainable Aviation Fuel

CO2 Compensation through high quality climate projects

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Besides the option to reduce your flight-related CO₂ emissions with SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel), Eurowings offers CO₂ compensation through high-quality climate protection projects. Together with our trusted partners - myclimate, SQUAKE and ClimatePartner - we support a wide variety of technology- and nature-based climate protection projects across Germany, Europe, and around the globe.

In contrast to CO₂ reduction, compensation offsets the flight-related emissions by funding projects that remove or avoid an equivalent amount of CO₂ elsewhere, such as reforestation or renewable energy initiatives.

Here you can learn more about our supported climate protection projects.

Efficient processes in aircraft operation

Environmentally friendly flying has been an element of our cockpit training for years. Improved cockpit procedures can save up to 500 kg of CO2 on a flight from Dusseldorf to Rome. This also includes the topic of 'wind uplink'. Our pilots use the wind to save fuel. Engines also operate more efficiently when they are regularly cleaned.

On the ground, our pilots use one engine when taxiing ('single engine taxi') whenever possible and use ground power in preference to the auxiliary power unit at the tail when parking. They are also familiar with measures to save fuel in flight operations by following fuel efficiency publications. This includes, for example, improved flight guidance during climb and descent or new specifications for speed and acceleration.

Efficient processes in aircraft operation

Reducing noise levels in flight operations

Reducing aircraft noise when flying

Reducing aircraft noise is also an important part of our sustainability strategy. An A320neo is about half as quiet as its predecessor. In addition, we have equipped our existing fleet with noise-reducing vortex generators, which benefit airport residents in particular by reducing noise emissions on approach.

We will also be using the Low Noise Augmentation System in future, which supports pilots in an environmentally friendly landing approach. They are given advice and recommendations for a quieter and more fuel-efficient approach on the cockpit display.

Reducing weight on board

Less weight in our aircraft means less fuel consumption. We regularly subject our aircraft to a 'body check' to find ways of reducing weight. Every kilogram we reduce across the entire Eurowings fleet generates a CO2 saving of 37 tonnes.

We have already greatly reduced the weight by using lighter trolleys, seats and carpets, and by using thinner paper for our CO2-neutral customer magazine WINGS and the bistro menu. In future, all flight documentation will be digital to reduce the use of paper while also reducing emissions through less weight.

Reducing weight on board

6,000 trees for the Königsforst in Cologne

6,000 trees for the Königsforst in Cologne

Eurowings and Cologne/Bonn Airport have planted 6,000 trees in the Königsforst nature reserve near Cologne/Bonn Airport in a joint initiative. This sustainability initiative supports environmental protection in the region and complements a variety of measures, such as introducing new aircraft and investing in sustainable fuel, which directly reduce carbon emissions. Together with the Cologne-based environmental organisation ‘Planted’, 6,000 climate-stable trees have been planted in the Königsforst – one tree for each employee plus additional trees for future colleagues. Eurowings is contributing to local environmental protection at its home base of Cologne/Bonn with this initiative, after already having supported the moorland at Königsmoor in Hamburg through its customers’ voluntary carbon offsetting. Forests are true climate heroes and essential for the protection of our planet. They not only take CO2 out of the atmosphere, but also act as air and water filters. They also support biodiversity, as they provide habitats for many different animal and plant species, and are highly valued by local residents in recreational areas.

We consider how we use of resources

Material and waste reduction

Material and waste reduction

Less waste and the use of sustainable materials are inextricably linked to sustainable business management. That is why we are continuously reducing the amount of waste we generate, and with this our impact on the environment. Our packaging on board will be 100 percent sustainable and reusable by 2025. Passengers are encouraged to bring their own cup with our 'Bring your own cup' initiative which is already in place. Not only do they receive a 20 percent discount on their drink, but they also make an active contribution to reducing packaging.

We are also concerned about food waste. To reduce this still further in the future, we are using 'Load Planner', a machine learning platform that uses historical data as well as data on passengers, vacation periods or public holidays to calculate the day’s likely demand for fresh products. This digital tool helps us better predict the demand for food on board and reduce the amount of food that has to be disposed of later by up to 19 tonnes.

We focus on sustainable products and services

Sustainable sandwich packaging

Sustainable catering

With our new “Natureflex” foil we are taking another great step forward towards our goal of 100% sustainable packaging. By switching our foil we are able to reduce over four tons of plastic waste a year.

Our new sandwich packaging is a fully compostable, biodegradable and European regulation approved solution that consists of cellulose and is a further investment Eurowings is taking towards a more sustainable onboard offering.

Sustainable catering

We are actively seeking ways to minimise our impact on the environment at Eurowings – including by carefully selecting sustainable products for our WingsBistro and for our WingsShop. In conjunction with our partners, we will offer a programme that focuses primarily on provenance, socially responsible brands and ongoing efforts to reduce plastic and switch to sustainable packaging.

Sustainable catering

We put people in the spotlight.

We create a secure, fair and attractive workplace with opportunities for continuous development. We are constantly reviewing and improving our internal processes and customer services to ensure that our passengers travel as sustainably and worry-free as possible.

We offer an attractive workplace

Diversity and equal opportunities

Diversity and equal opportunities

We offer a fair, secure and attractive workplace for our employees. Diversity and equal opportunities are particularly close to our hearts. That is why we have joined various initiatives, such as the Cologne 'Women in Leadership' alliance, and founded the Wings.WoMen network. Our aim is for women to occupy a quarter of management positions by 2025.

Every year, we give pupils the opportunity to get a taste of the various technical professions found in the airline industry with our 'Girls’ and Boys’ Day'.

Education and training

We support our employees to invest in themselves. Our individual training programme offers many webinars to give employees the opportunity to learn foreign languages or expand their knowledge in a wide range of subject matters via LinkedIn Learning.

We also support the younger generation through a Lufthansa Young Network (LYN). In addition to this, we regularly offer traineeships for young talent.

Education and training

Values, culture and working models

Values, culture and working models

The well-being and health of our employees is essential for the company’s success. That’s why we regularly conduct what we call pulse checks. These give a snapshot of the current mood and explore potential for improvement in our daily work environment. Our new hybrid way of working also enables flexible working between office and home office.

We are responsible for our customers

Digitalisation for a successful customer experience

We are continuously working on digitalising the customer experience and are constantly developing our digital travel companion. This already supports our passengers with relevant information and intelligent services throughout the entire journey. For example, the Eurowings Travel Guide currently also offers important and up-to-date information at a glance on the Covid-19 situation at the destinations.

Digitalisation for a successful customer experience

We have the good of society firmly in mind.

We connect people across national borders. We are a corporate citizen, actively involve ourselves in society, and contribute to social and economic prosperity through local partnerships.

 

We boost economic growth

Local partnerships and networks

Local partnerships and networks

We are continuously expanding local partnerships by establishing new offices across Europe. In this way, we support regional economic growth, create jobs and provide a pan-European network for society and business.

We value transparent exchange

Transparent communication and dialogue

Transparent communication and dialogue

Dialogue with our stakeholders is essential for sustainable and responsible action. That is why regular exchanges of views are important to us, so we can meet interests, wishes and expectations in the best possible way. This also includes transparent reporting in both internal and external communication. We use many modern media channels for open and transparent stakeholder communication to keep employees, customers and investors informed.

We are committed to society

Social commitment

Our social commitment to children is particularly close to our hearts. That is why we are involved in a variety of ways in the help alliance, the Lufthansa Group’s charitable organisation – from financial donations to personal individual commitments from our employees. The goal: to give young people access to education and empower them to lead self-determined lives. For example, we have been supporting the Chancenwerk project 'Destination Education' since 2015. This supports disadvantaged pupils in their learning. Our employees take the opportunity to get involved in the project, for example with professional job application coaching or school field trips to an airport hangar. On board, we also encourage our passengers to donate 1 euro to finance a meal for two children via a help alliance project in India.

Social commitment

Help in crises

Help in crises

Eurowings provides support in times of crisis with relief flights and airlifts. During the Covid-19 pandemic, for example, more than 100 return flights were provided at short notice to bring around 20,000 stranded holidaymakers safely back home from holiday destinations. Numerous special flights were also organised to bring more than 30,000 urgently needed harvest workers and seasonal workers to farms to relieve shortages of thousands of seasonal workers due to strict entry and exit regulations.

Weitere Angebote für nachhaltigeres Reisen mit Eurowings:

  1. 1 The offer of additional points, Qualifying Points, and HON Circle Points is valid only for "PlanetBlu Plus" and "PlanetBlu Pro" packages booked for Eurowings flights operating from 1 September to 30 November 2024. Bookings must be made via the Eurowings website https://www.eurowings.com/en.html . You will receive 5% additional points, Qualifying Points, and HON Circle Points when booking the PlanetBlu Plus package. If you book the PlanetBlu Pro package, you will receive 10% additional points, Qualifying Points, and HON Circle Points. HON Circle Points can only be collected for BIZclass fare flights. The additional points, Qualifying Points, and HON Circle Points will be credited to you no later than four weeks after the regular points earned for your flight. Only bookings for which the Miles & More service card number was provided as part of the booking are considered.