BA fuel efficiency drive saves a packet

Staff suggestions included descaling jumbo toilets worth £600,000 alone

British Airways saved enough fuel to power 550 flights from Heathrow to New York last year following the introduction of an online suggestion box for staff.

More than 200 ideas were submitted by pilots, cabin crew, engineers and ground staff as to how the airline could make further progress towards reducing emissions and cutting fuel bills.

Some of the more unusual suggestions included replacing glass with plastic wine bottles, reducing the amount of water carried in aircraft water tanks, the descaling of toilet pipes on the Boeing 747 and 777 fleets. Not only did the descaling save some £600,000 as a result of reduced weight, it also improved the performance of the toilets.

The airline has also employed more conventional methods such as reducing the use of auxiliary power units, single engine taxiing and performance improvement packages on more than 40 Boeing 777 aircraft.

In total the savings were worth over £20 million.

Jonathon Counsell, head of environment at British Airways, said: "This really has been a team effort. It goes to show that small changes here and  there can add up to significant savings. Not only does this help us to reduce our environmental impact, it also saves us money."

British Airways is already working on more projects to save fuel in 2012, including the use of new, lightweight catering trolleys, headsets and cargo containers.

The airline has also extended a trial of tripleO, a special paint coating that improves aerodynamics and leads to greater fuel efficiency. A Boeing 777 is to be coated, following a successful trial of a smaller Airbus A318.

British Airways is committed to reducing net carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2050.

And another thing … Research from British Airways found an unusual array of items packed for a week-long trip, including sardines, teabags and Marmite

The British Airways survey asked 1,176 people from the UK what the most random item they have ever taken on holiday was and not used. On the list were a range of interesting items including teabags complete with kettle; peanut butter; super noodles and sardines.

Abigail Comber, BA’s head of branding and marketing, talked about the findings: "(Brits) don’t really want to have to choose between books, toiletries or teabags, or to dress kids in half their holiday clothes just to avoid excess baggage fees."

One in eight passengers surveyed took three or more towels and nearly half took more than ten pairs of pants for a week away. Unsurprisingly, 90% of people didn’t use a third of what was packed in their suitcase.

Alarmingly, 23% of those asked, do not look into airline baggage limits before they travel. Passengers from Scotland and east England have had to pay the most in excess baggage fees, according to the study.

What’s the most random thing you’ve taken with you on your travels? Is one pair of shoes enough or are at least three needed?

Valere Tjolle
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