The Flight Emissions Calculator estimates a base flight CO₂ scenario from passenger distance, cabin class, and user-entered emission factors, with an optional non-CO₂ radiative-forcing multiplier.
Inputs and method
Base CO₂ = passenger distance × entered emissions factor × cabin multiplier. Optional scenario = base CO₂ × entered RF multiplier.
All empirical factors, rates, percentages, clearances, product yields, and model values shown as inputs are scenario values supplied by you. Their source or measurement basis appears beside the inputs and result. Units remain visible, calculations use unrounded values, and rounding occurs only for display or a whole-package ceiling.
Interpreting the result
Factors, cabin treatment, geography, year, and RF choice must come from the selected source. Results are not an exact footprint and include no car/tree equivalents. For scenario-style comparisons in other areas, see the Food Miles Calculator, Meat Footprint Calculator, and Home Energy Efficiency Calculator.
Treat scenario ranges as sensitivity ranges, not confidence intervals. Check the factor’s version, geography, population or product, system boundary, and date before using the result. A finite arithmetic result does not establish code compliance, certification, safety, forecast accuracy, or model validity.
Validation and rounding
The calculator rejects blank required factors, invalid numeric values, prohibited negatives, impossible relationships, and unsupported modes. No malformed value silently selects another branch. Continuous outputs use the precision displayed in the result; package quantities round up only after waste is applied.
Worked example
For 1,000 passenger-km, 0.12 kg CO₂/passenger-km, and cabin multiplier 1, base CO₂ is 120 kg. An RF multiplier of 1.7 gives 204 kg CO₂e; 0 gives a zero optional scenario without changing base CO₂.
Frequently asked question
What does “none” mean for RF? Enter 0 and identify that choice in the RF source field; base CO₂ remains separate.
Keep itinerary and factor assumptions separate
Save the itinerary, passenger assumptions, and the selected emissions basis together. Compare another travel scenario while keeping the factor convention unchanged; examine another factor assumption in a separate run. This makes a route change distinguishable from a methodological change in the emissions estimate.
Sources
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IPCC, “AR6 Working Group I: The Physical Science Basis” — 2021 report landing page; Summary and report-scope passages, accessed 2026-07-09. Route-specific boundary: context and terminology only; it does not supply an entered coefficient, uncertainty, recommendation, or approval.
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U.S. EPA, “Greenhouse Gas Emissions from a Typical Passenger Vehicle” — current web edition; calculation-boundary explanation, accessed 2026-07-09. Route-specific boundary: context and terminology only; it does not supply an entered coefficient, uncertainty, recommendation, or approval.
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International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), “ICAO Carbon Emissions Calculator (ICEC)” — Internationally approved aviation CO2 estimation methodology context, including cabin-class treatment.