Most major airlines offer carbon offsetting at checkout. In theory this is good. In practice, three issues limit their value:
Undercounting emissions. Airlines use their own calculation methodology, often based on fuel efficiency targets rather than actual aircraft type and route data. This can understate your seat's CO2 share by 20-40%.
Low-quality credits. Independent investigations (including by The Guardian and Zeit) found widely-sold REDD+ forest credits overstate climate benefit by up to 90%. Cheap avoidance credits that don't actually remove atmospheric CO2 are common in airline programs.
No personal accountability. Airline programs typically pool contributions and don't give you a record of exactly which project received your money and how much CO2 was removed.
Comparison
Airline programs at a glance
Airline
Program
Project type
Methodology
Lufthansa Group
Compensaid
DAC + Forests
ICAO-based
KLM
CO2ZERO
Forests + SAF
Own estimate
British Airways
BA Carbon Offset
Mixed portfolio
Own estimate
Delta
Sustainable Skies
Forests + Wind
Own estimate
easyJet
Offset all flights
Avoidance only
Own estimate
Ryanair
No program
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FLY (any airline)
Independent
Verified removal
ICAO fuel-burn
Note: Program details change. Always verify project portfolios with the scheme before purchasing.
Better Alternative
Offset any flight independently
FLY calculates your exact CO2 using ICAO methodology and real aircraft data, regardless of which airline you are flying. Support verified removal projects. Get a personalised certificate.
Airline programs vary widely in quality. Most use CORSIA-eligible avoidance credits that prevent emissions elsewhere rather than physically removing CO2. Some programs (like Lufthansa Compensaid's direct air capture option) are genuinely high quality. Independent removal-based programs provide stronger climate impact.
CORSIA is ICAO's scheme covering international routes. It requires airlines to offset growth in emissions above 2019 baseline levels. As of 2026, it is in voluntary pilot phase for most routes and does not cover domestic flights. Offsets are avoidance-based rather than removal.
Lufthansa Group's Compensaid stands out for offering direct air capture credits at a premium price. KLM and British Airways have mixed portfolios. Many low-cost carriers have no program at all. FLY lets you offset independently for any airline in 141+ worldwide.
FLY gives you: (1) precise emissions calculated with ICAO methodology and real aircraft types; (2) access to verified removal projects; (3) a personalised certificate for your specific journey. You can offset any flight on any of the 141+ airlines covered, including airlines with no offset scheme.
Yes. FLY covers 141+ airlines across 6 continents including regional and low-cost carriers with no offset schemes. Enter any route on any covered airline, calculate your CO2, and support verified removal.