AIBU to ask how many of you are seriously revising whether (or how often) you fly again?

[Thelowquietsea]

We don't fly often (one flight a year tops, mostly to Europe) but reducing my air travel is one of the few differences I can make towards climate change.

And yet, I'm celebrating a big birthday this year. I had an idea to take myself to a retreat quite far away, and now it's 'booking' time, I can't quite bring myself to do it. Especially in light of Australia's tragedy. I'm really torn.

How many of you are making serious sacrifices in this area?

We have drastically cut down flights - haven’t been on one since 2008. I haven’t ruled it out altogether, but I want to be doing the best I can to help. It may be a minuscule drop in the ocean, but at least I can look my DCs in the eye and tell them I tried. Plus drops all add up.
I personally suspect the Heathrow extra runway argument up thread is bollocks - surely the airport will schedule more flights to fill the extra runway - they surely wouldn’t be paying out millions for an extra runway and not getting any extra revenue in from it?

What has arson got to do with flights?

We haven't flown in eight years in an effort to reduce our carbon footprint. It's like pissing in the wind when most people couldn't give a shit.

Yes. I was contemplating going to Japan this year but I won't now. Didn't fly last year and won't this year either. Prior to that I would fly 1-2 times a year. I am choosing destinations in the UK or that you can get to by ferry or train, eg France and Ireland. I went to Italy by train once.

We only take UK holidays for this reason, but then we drive to our destination, so still not great. When our dcs are a bit older and more reasonable we will try and go by train.

I have family in Ireland, one of whom is unwell and can't travel to us, so I'm planning to go there net month, but I'll just go on my own. There is no need for us all to go.

I really can't bring myself to fly for fun. I also avoid driving and it's surprisingly easy not to drive, even in the rural town we live in. But appreciate a rural town is different to living right out in the countryside.

Tbh YANBU. Though people may be right that their x amount of trips arent making the difference, and pointing out what other people and countries do which is much worse, actually all of those small bits would add up to alot if everyone changed their approach. And nothing can change without small changes. I had a child a few months ago, one of the biggest environmental impacts I will make arguably. I want to try for her. We already recycle alot of our rubbish and I have started buying more second hand clothing as well as now toys for her. I have joined a subscription service for toys too. We use reuseable nappies save for at night time. I have already spoken to my husband about taking more holidays in the UK. I will still fly sometimes and we are this year. I also drive for work - public transport is unfortunately prohibitive both in cost and the timings meaning I actually cannot get the train to some of my work locations and be there on time without travelling the day prior. It's about doing what we can surely. We should all be making changes. It's not that you have to change everything but something would help more than nothing

Don't have a car, use Luas (electric tram) to get to work, take train or bus for visiting family/ friends in Ireland, fly maximum 2 times a year from Dublin to Alicante or Dublin to Berlin so feel I'm doing my bit.

I’ve flown twice in 40 years. Both Europe.
We usually stick to U.K. holidays or occasionally drive to France or Spain.
I would love to travel the world but can’t see myself doing so because I would feel guilty.

I am visiting France once a month now and always use the train or bus. I couldn't bring myself to fly there unless it were an emergency.

I am definitely trying to reduce my flights and this will impact where I take holidays in 2020, in fact I have already booked 1 short trip by train and 1 by bus (apart from the ones to France) and have another train trip to book this week for a family holiday.

I fly around 3 times a year. If anything I would like to fly more. Love my trips away!

I fly several times a year for work and several more times for leisure, and I have no plans to reduce this.

Life is short, travel is my hobby, and I buy much less cheap throwaway clothing and imported disposable plastic tat than most people so my conscience is clear.

Flown inland twice in 30 years.
Not planning on changing this pattern.

I'm from across the pond and haven't been back for a visit in 7 years. I intend to fly there this spring/summer and won't feel guilty for doing so.

We will be going less long haul this year and will also purchase carbon offsets

Nope. I will not reduce how much I fly; I don’t feel a need to.

I don't enjoy flying, but do enjoy my holidays. Have only ever flown short haul 2-3 hour flights, once, maybe twice per year. I don't see this changing really, although, before having DC, DH and I used to holiday by coach and I would probably be open to doing this again occasionally in future.

I have decided not to fly this year at least (hopefully longer). I happily booked a UK holiday for this summer, but then just today was sorely tempted when my husband suggested we accompanied him to Bulgaria at half term. But I've said no and I'm looking at some days out (by train) in the UK instead. I have flown a lot in my life so I can't really criticise people who fly, but now I have an 8-year old and a 10 year old I want them to get used to taking public transport and not booking a flight on a whim.

You know the planes do still fly if you don't buy a ticket right? :( (not trying to be mean but I hate to see people feeling guilty over something they have zero control over)

I don't have a passport anymore so I can't be tempted to jet off anywhere. I'm lucky enough to live in a country that has lots of destinations I enjoy going to for a break though. Plus I couldn't bear to leave my dog for longer than a few hours so days/weeks away is out of the question 😂

I don’t fly very often but have no guilt whatsoever when I do . I have no plans to cut back the few flights I do take until everyone has the same attitude . I’m damned if I’m going to give up my one perhaps two flights ( very rarely ) a year while those considerably better off that me swan around in private jets or fly first class .
I’d like to see some kind of rationing of airmiles . You could save them up to use for a longer journey every couple of years . Those who want to travel more often could buy extra airmiles off those who can’t afford to fly .

I am happy to sacrifice anything but my holidays. I've got 4 short haul trips booked this year, plus 3 UK trips (no flights). It's the reason I go to work every day and I want to show DS as much of the world as I can. It's the one thing I've always loved.

We've discussed using the train next year for France and also a possible EU road trip but there's many places to visit that wouldn't be possible by other means of travel.

I take at least 4 flights a month, a mix of short and long haul. I don’t plan on changing this and am really surprised at the responses on the thread.
I don’t have children though which is the best thing I could possibly do for the planet so I guess that’s my contribution.

Nope. I’m kind of annoyed that it’s people like me who take the odd holiday once a year who are being guilted about it too. I work bloody hard and I deserve a holiday. If we really want to make a difference then why not penalise the multi national companies that fly staff around the world regularly for business meetings? why can’t they Skype more for conferences etc? It feels like it’s always the ordinary people who get the guilt when huge mega rich companies do nothing.

@MelroseHigginbottom you are familiar with the concept of supply and demand right?

I’m damned if I’m going to give up my one perhaps two flights ( very rarely ) a year while those considerably better off that me swan around in private jets or fly first class exactly! Well said