Sustainability In The Air

• How Expliseat helps airlines cut carbon without compromising on comfort

  In this episode, we speak with  Amaury Barberot, CEO of Expliseat, about how the company's innovative lightweight seating technology is delivering immediate sustainability benefits for airlines while improving their bottom line.Barberot discusses:Expliseat's revolutionary aircraft seat design made from carbon fibre and titanium that is 30% lighter than comparable products, saving approximately 1,200 kilograms when retrofitted on an Airbus A320 or Boeing 737.The immediate environmental impact of their lightweight seats, which deliver a 6% CO2 emission reduction per passenger without requiring airlines to wait for future technology developments.How the weight reduction focuses on the "invisible parts" of the seat, preserving passenger comfort while still delivering sustainability benefits.The company's circular manufacturing approach, which recycles industrial waste from seat frames to create new components like tray tables, further reducing their environmental footprint.Their recent expansion into the rail industry, where their lightweight technology helps train operators overcome axle weight limitations to improve passenger amenities or increase capacity.Barberot emphasises that Expliseat represents one of the rare sustainability solutions where "CSO and CFO do not fight," highlighting how their technology aligns environmental and economic objectives for airlines across different regions and business models.If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Dr. Mark Hiller, CEO at RECARO Aircraft Seating and Recaro Holding. Check it out here. Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.Feel free to reach out via email to [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.Links & More:Expliseat Expliseat Showcases New Lightweight Seating at MRO Americas 2025 - Aviation Pros Why every kilogram counts: the critical role of cabin design in sustainable aviation - SimpliFlying Expliseat TiSeat 2 X: the inside story - Aircraft Interiors International Expliseat brings ultra-light aircraft seats to rail industry - Runway Girl Network Expliseat aims to be lightweight champion in aircraft seats - Flight GlobalHow sustainable aircraft seats can be a game-changer - SimpliFlying  

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• Why Swedavia sees fossil-free flying as a ‘license to operate’

  In this episode, we speak with Lena Wennberg, Chief Sustainable Development Officer, and Therese Forsström, Head of Environmental Department at Swedavia, which owns and operates 10 airports across Sweden, connecting the country both internally and with the rest of the world.Wennberg and Forsström discuss:Swedavia’s achievement of fossil-free operations in 2020 in their own airport operations, backed by committed leadership that views sustainability as a “license to operate.”Their ambitious goal to enable fossil-free domestic flights in Sweden by 2030, primarily through sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with plans to reach 10% SAF usage.Swedavia’s incentive program that covers 50% of the premium cost for airlines refuelling with SAF, plus their procurement of SAF for their own business travel for the last nine years.The airport’s preparations for future technologies, including charging infrastructure for electric aircraft at smaller airports and collaboration with Airbus on hydrogen infrastructure.The balancing of sustainability with operational needs in a country where air travel is essential due to the vast geography.As industry leaders working towards fossil-free aviation since long before it became mainstream, Swedavia offers a compelling example of how airports can transform environmental commitments into tangible action while maintaining operational excellence.If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Christina Cassotis, CEO of Pittsburgh International Airport, who shares her ambitious vision for transforming the airport into a sustainable aviation hub. Check it out here. Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.Feel free to reach out via email to [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.Links & More:Strategy for sustainability - Swedavia Swedavia allocates SEK40m for SAF incentives - SAF Investor Swedavia raises SEK 2 billion through green bond issuance to support sustainable investments and operations - International Airport Review Airbus, SAS, Swedavia and Vattenfall pave the way for hydrogen aviation in Sweden and Norway - Airbus

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• How Contrails.org aims to turn contrail research into practical climate action

  In this episode, we speak with Matteo Mirolo, Director of Strategy & External Relations at Contrails.org, a science-led nonprofit initiative aimed at transforming contrail research into practical climate action. Mirolo discusses:The substantial climate impact of contrails, which are responsible for 1-2% of human-caused global warming and have roughly the same warming effect as all aviation CO2 emissions since the jet age.The concentrated nature of the problem, with just 5% of flights causing about 80% of aviation’s contrail warming effect, primarily over Europe, North America, and the North Atlantic.Contrails.org’s three-pillar approach focusing on science (improving understanding of contrail impacts), technology (developing open-source tools and protocols), and adoption (raising awareness and fostering incentives).The cost-effectiveness of contrail mitigation compared to other decarbonisation options, with studies suggesting only 0.11% extra fuel burn across airline fleets.The vision for seamless integration into airline operations, where contrail avoidance becomes as routine as avoiding turbulence or adverse weather.Contrails.org seeks to be an open, collaborative space, with Mirolo likening it to “a tent under which people can put their furniture.” Its goal is to address the contrail issue through collective effort, recognising that effective management requires coordination across the aviation sector.If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Alejandra Martín Frías, Head of Sustainability Research at FLIGHTKEYS, who shared insights into the company’s research on contrail avoidance. Check it out here. Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.Feel free to reach out via email to [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.Links & More:Contrails.orgHow airplane contrails are helping make the planet warmer - Yale e360 Feasibility of contrail avoidance in a commercial flight planning system: an operational analysis - IOPscience Understanding contrail management: opportunities, challenges, and insights - RMI

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• How Alaska Star Ventures is funding the future of sustainable aviation

  In this episode, we speak with Pasha Saleh, Head of Corporate Development at Alaska Airlines, who leads Alaska Star Ventures, the airline’s corporate venture capital arm focused on sustainable aviation technologies. Saleh shares insights about the airline’s approach to sustainability investments and their vision for decarbonising the industry.Saleh discusses:The founding vision for Alaska Star Ventures, which was established to accelerate the development of technologies that don’t yet exist but are essential for achieving net zero.The investment strategy that started with partnerships with firms to gain expertise before making direct investments, resulting in nearly $90 million deployed to date across various aviation sustainability technologies.Strategic investments in companies like Jet Zero, a blended wing aircraft that could deliver up to 50% fuel reduction.The airline’s approach to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) investments through companies like Twelve and Air Company, focusing on Power-to-Liquid technology that produces fuel from air and water.Saleh emphasises that sustainability investments are “going to give rise to whole new industries that don’t exist yet today,” highlighting Alaska Airlines’ approach to shaping the future of sustainable aviation.If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Eveliina Huurre, SVP, Sustainability at Finnair, who shares the airline’s comprehensive approach to sustainability as it celebrated its centenary last year. Check it out here. Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.Feel free to reach out via email to [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.Links & More:Alaska Airlines launches investment arm to accelerate progress to net zero - Alaska AirlinesAlaska Airlines announces investment in JetZero to propel innovative aircraft technology and design - PR NewswireAlaska Airlines’ venture lab spins out its first startup: Odysee - TechCrunch   ESG - Alaska Airlines 

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• How Finnair celebrated its centenary with 100 sustainability initiatives

  In this episode, we speak with Eveliina Huurre, Senior Vice President, Sustainability at Finnair, who shares insights about the airline’s approach to sustainability and their ambitious targets to reduce emissions. Huurre discusses:The employee engagement initiative that yielded 300 sustainability ideas, with 100 selected for implementation during Finnair’s centenary celebrations, ranging from small cultural changes to more substantial investments in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).Finnair’s science-based target to reduce carbon emissions intensity by 34.5% by 2033 (using 2023 as the baseline), translating to approximately 13% net reduction in absolute CO2 emissions, despite expected growth.The central role of SAF in Finnair’s sustainability strategy, with plans to increase its usage from 0.4% in 2023 to 1.8% in 2024, and to double voluntary SAF purchases in 2025.Finnair’s approach to operational efficiencies, including fuel-saving strategies like optimised aircraft allocation, pilot training for fuel efficiency and single engine taxiing.Innovative customer engagement through a simple SAF contribution option in the booking process, allowing passengers to contribute between €3-15 per flight, with early adoption exceeding expectations.The importance of industry collaboration at national, European and global levels, working with organisations like IATA, oneworld alliance (on joint SAF purchases), and A4E on policy frameworks to enable the energy transition in aviation.Huurre emphasises that making aviation sustainable isn’t about “who gets there first, but how we do this together,” highlighting Finnair’s approach to the challenges and opportunities in advancing sustainable air travel.If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Grace Cheung, General Manager of Sustainability at Cathay, who shares insights about the airline’s “greener together” approach to sustainable aviation. Check it out here. Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.Feel free to reach out via email to [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.Links & More:Sustainability - Finnair Finnair announces 100 sustainability efforts to mark 100 years - Inflight6 highlights of our sustainability work from last year - FinnairFinnair sets 34.5% reduction target for emissions intensity by 2033, driving a 13% absolute CO2e cut - Travel And Tour World 

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