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JetBlue Environmental Policy Statement

Introduction

Like all businesses, JetBlue relies on the consumption of natural resources in order to facilitate operations. Therefore, environmental stewardship is integral to the continued success of JetBlue’s business and preservation of the natural and built environment. The core elements of JetBlue’s commitment are reflected in the following policy statement, which are reviewed annually by a dedicated crewmember team to ensure unilateral engagement and accountability. For more information on our comprehensive environmental focus, consult the Sustainability resources webpage.

Policy Background

With an average of 925 daily flights, JetBlue carries more than 35 million customers a year to over 100 cities in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America. Today, the same as when we were founded, JetBlue continues to focus on embracing a conscientious culture for inspiring humanity through air travel. As we prospect a future of growth within our operations, JetBlue’s focus on caring and passion underscores our prerogative to continue to be a progressive and ethical carrier that prioritizes people and the planet.

JetBlue acknowledges that compliance with environmental regulation is critical to maintaining productive relationships with our partners. In order to excel and be proactive in these relationships, we are optimizing our environmental practices to achieve an International Air Transport Association (IATA) Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) certification. Achieving an IEnvA certification serves to manifest our philosophy into ambitious and measurable goals for the future, and adds transparency to JetBlue’s business integrity.

Policy Scope

In order to uphold the highest standards of customer service and environmental consciousness throughout our entire operation, JetBlue sustains the following principles:

1. Environmental Laws and Regulations

  • JetBlue meets all applicable local and international environmental requirements
  • Where possible, JetBlue endeavors to exceed regulatory compliance, establishing best practices for resource conservation and waste reduction
  • JetBlue supports international, voluntary, industry-led efforts for aviation to achieve carbon- neutral growth, including:
    • An average improvement in fuel efficiency of 1.5% per year from 2009 to 2020
    • A cap on net aviation CO2 emissions from 2020 (carbon-neutral growth)
    • A reduction in net aviation CO2 emissions of 50% by 2050, relative to 2005 levels
  • For more information, consult the IATA  and ICAO  objectives 

2. Fuel Conservation and Emissions Reduction

  • JetBlue minimizes emissions from both jet fuel and ground operations through conservation efforts where possible and safe to do so. JetBlue has achieved reductions in emissions on an intensity basis since 2015, and most recently improved 2.2 percent per available seat mile (ASM) from 2018 to 2019.

Emissions from flying

  • JetBlue minimizes aircraft ground fuel use by conducting single-engine taxiing, and by utilizing ground power and pre-conditioned air to heat or cool gate side aircrafts
  • JetBlue is continuously monitoring its operations for fuel reduction opportunities
  • JetBlue actively evaluates and pursues sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) purchase opportunities when they are viable, safe, and economical
  • JetBlue supports SAF development through interest in purchase agreements, conference sponsorships, meetings, and engagements, and trade associations’ participation.

Emissions from Ground Operations

  • JetBlue continues to convert conventionally gasoline and diesel ground service equipment to electric where feasible, and with the following focal points:
    • Soliciting and appropriating joint airline-airport funding  for electric conversion
    • Installing electric charging and pre-conditioned air service during gate retrofits and buildouts
  • JetBlue endorses the use of commercially available and viable electric ground service equipment provided that
    • Such equipment presents no increased risk to operations and
    • The associated airport authority provides adequate electric charging infrastructure

3. Recycling and Waste Minimization

  • JetBlue monitors and reduces the disposal of waste across operations
  • JetBlue recycles at all domestic U.S. operations, including cans and bottles from commercial flying service
  • If a domestic U.S. airport does not offer recycling service, JetBlue works with the airport to establish the service. In rare cases, JetBlue absorbs the cost of recycling if no other option is available
  • JetBlue recycles in all support center (office) operations and selects office amenities rated to reduce waste and paper consumption

4. Hazardous Waste

  • JetBlue monitors the generation, storage, labeling and shipment of all Hazardous Wastes handled at JetBlue Airways using Best Management Practices (BMP)
  • JetBlue has established policies and procedures pertaining to Dangerous Goods, Hazardous Materials, and Hazardous Waste to ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, as well as alignment with industry standards, such as those promulgated by ICAO and IATA
  • JetBlue’s Customer Derived Dangerous Goods Program oversees Dangerous Goods and Hazardous Waste programs for all JetBlue destinations to ensure compliance with applicable regulations regarding Dangerous Goods, Hazardous Waste, and Chemical\Fuel Spills Reporting

5. Chemical Spills

  • JetBlue and associated business partners (vendors) make every effort to reduce the incidence of all spills, and prioritize the reduction of harm to natural habitats
  • JetBlue ensures all fuel and chemical spills are promptly contained, documented, and reported per local and federal requirements

6. Environmental Regulatory Program

  • JetBlue’s Environmental Regulatory Program (ERP) addresses oversight of ground service equipment (GSE) and aircraft air emissions, aircraft noise, airport and aircraft potable water, Aircraft Drinking Water Rule (ADWR), wildlife strikes, and storm water discharge permitting for all BlueCities
  • JetBlue’s ERP is intended to facilitate JetBlue’s compliance with federal, state, and local government environmental regulations aimed at reducing operational impact on the environment, as well as human exposure
  • The ERP additionally manages storm water pollution prevention and works with airport authorities as well as business partners to ensure efficacy and compliance

7. Sustainability Reporting

8. Other Initiatives

  • JetBlue’s security team, BlueWatch, is trained to identify animal trafficking if suspicious activity is reported or observed
    • JetBlue has established and enforces a Business Partner Code of Conduct (BP COC) which covers several aspects of environmental compliance. 

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