AIBU to think I haven’t flown much

It's not one person though, it takes collective action to reduce it. No one person can make difference, but if we all start flying less, then there will be less planes in the sky every day.

To answer your initial question, I'm 41 and have probably flown about 20 times. Not for any environmental reasons, just not been abroad that much. Although a few of them have been to Australia, so probably count for about 10 flights to Dublin!

I’d say I’ve taken an average of two flights a year so slightly below you OP. I generally take slightly more now but took fewer when I was saving for a deposit. I’d say you are on the higher side of average for someone living with disposable income (ie not too low paid/benefits with no spare money each month).

Maybe, but that doesn’t stop significant numbers of youngsters trooping through airport terminals enroute to a long haul flight to engage some school sponsored humanitarian project in perhaps Africa or Asia (seen a lot in summer) or a school ski trip (time as year as appropriate).

I don’t know what the average is, but I’d think you are at least that. Not that it matters either way.

It's just a mode of transport. Why do you care how many times you've done it? Or compare yourself to others?
Might be more interesting to discuss which different countries you've visited, if anything?

Most of the people your age I know would be urging you to take fewer flights.

What a ridiculous conversation. As someone who tries to consider the future of the planet we live on, I'd be ashamed of 91 flights before the age of 30 unless they're 100% necessary (and I'm not sure why they would be). We need to realise the damage that air travel is doing to the environment.

who fucking cares? what a ridiculous topic

What a strange post... A humble brag?
I consider myself pretty well travelled, but I'm fairly certain I haven't taken anywhere near that number of flights! If I had to ball-park, I'd estimate maybe 30?
I haven't flown since pre-covid. I've had 3 UK holidays, and been on two cruises out of Southampton. I hit 5 countries between those 2 trips. I also went to France, Germany and Switzerland via train. Just because you don't fly much, doesn't mean you don't travel...

You’re sounding very well-travelled to me. Like my DD, you’ve grown up in an era of budget flights so people do tend to fly a lot more than when I was growing up (mid-50s now). I first flew when I was 18. I’ve flown a lot in recent decades but not sure it’s as much as 90+ flights. Really not something to get worked in up about particularly now we’re all more aware of our carbon footprint and the need to look at different forms of travel - or at least how to offset our carbon footprint.

My DH flies for a hobby and I haven't flown 91 times in 29 years! 😂

This is lovely! I wasn’t in a position to go abroad until I was 24. It was so exciting. I hope you have a fantastic time.

Good for you. Hope you have a wonderful time.

I’ve never been out of the country.

Have been to various parts of mainland UK but have never been in a position to holiday abroad.

I have an inheritance due soon from a distant aunt. I’m going to spend it on a dream holiday however I can’t decide where to go so I’m considering going on a cruise to see as many places I can in one go!

Mid 40s and just tried to tot them up. I reckon I’ve been on about 80 flights (including return legs but not including journeys with plane changes).

The majority of those were in childhood so blame my parents for the carbon emissions.

LOL. Good one.

Strange thread, with obvious boasts about flying, a stealth boast about being slim and then outing herself as not very bright.

What a weird post. Your friend is odd. 91 is quite obviously loads and loads and is so much more than the average Brit. I think you know that though don't you!?

...But, having said that, I have just spent a good amount of time counting all flights I've been on and I think it's 72. May have missed a few, it's really hard to remember. I'm 39 and went on my first flight when I was 7.

I've flown twice. Can't imagine that number increasing. Don't own a passport either

Perhaps it's time to go flight free OP. https://flightfree.co.uk/ I'm 42 and have taken 51 flights in my lifetime I think including a 6 month trip across 3 continents. Due to the climate emergency I'm now trying to reduce my family's flying and now choose holidays where you can get there in other ways. I've taken one return flight in the last five years and that was for work. This has meant a lot of UK holidays (including northern Ireland by ferry) but also trips to France, Switzerland, Italy. We're also planning a trip to Scandinavia on the ferry. I am planning a long haul trip in three years and feel that we'll appreciate it more by waiting to go.

People being very light is neither here nor there, and the flight isn’t going “anyway” without customers.

By that logic, sounds like a cheek they even charge you, as they’re going anyway, and your teeny tiny weight won’t make a difference…

Sounds like you’ve flown loads!

I mean it’s all relative. You have flown a lot compared to a billionaire with a private jet who treats it almost like a car. But it’s an awful lot compared to the majority of the world - huge nos of people have never flown!

You need data, not MN anecdotes.

According to this study https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tbs.2021.05.008, the average flight per person in 2017 in 1.26 (just outbound flights). If we count only your adult life (11 years) and halved your flights to exclude the inbound ones (45) then you fly way more that average: 4.09 flights per adult year on average, 3.2 more frequently flying than is average.

Of course averages don't really tell you anything about how most people actually fly. The main finding of that study was the huge flying inequality: only 20% of households are responsible for 76% of all flights, 10% of households for 51%, and 1% for 10% of flights.

Predictably this is tied to income. So whether you fly "a lot" or not depends on your demographic (e.g. your income).

In truth though this post just sounds like a brag. It sounds to me like you felt bad your friend flies more than you so you came here banking on users to be impressed by your travels.

I've never been on a plane or been on holiday and I'm 55 so you're doing better than me, OP!

I reckon the OP is getting an unnecessarily hard time here.

Supply and demand answers to some extent the question about the number of flights available.

The OP being on board a flight that is being operated does make a marginal difference to fuel used/emission produced by that flight

This made me laugh, sorry OP.

Extremely well travelled at a young age and a teeny tiny! Top stealth bragging. 😅