So, you like jetting off to exotic locales, do you? Sipping sangria in Seville, hitting the beaches in Bali? Fine. But have you considered, you know, the planet? BBC One’s Cheap Flights: What They Really Mean For You aims to examine the uncomfortable realities of our addiction to air travel, and whether a greener future is even possible.
Justin Rowlatt takes us on a tour of potential solutions, from battery-powered planes (cute, but can they cross the Atlantic?) to air traffic control wizardry that could shave miles off flight paths. And then there’s the ever-controversial carbon offsetting, which, let’s face it, sounds a bit like paying for absolution after a weekend bender. Can planting enough trees really balance out the emissions of a 747?
Meanwhile, Michelle Ackerley heads to Gatwick Airport, the epicenter of the UK’s air travel love affair. She’ll explore the airport’s carbon reduction efforts while also poking into the thorny issue of airport expansion. Because, naturally, we need more runways to accommodate all those eco-friendly flights, right? Ackerley also weighs in on the staycation vs. vacation debate. Because apparently, exploring the Lake District is just not the same as lounging on a Greek island.
Fran Scott gets up close and personal with some seriously impressive engineering. Her itinerary includes a visit to Rolls Royce to check out the world’s largest plane engine, as well as a deep dive into the world of new aviation fuels. Scott takes a pragmatic look at the potential of electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft, asking the tough questions about feasibility and scalability.
Beyond the gadgetry and the glamorous locales, Cheap Flights also grapples with some weightier issues. The program will scrutinize the UK government’s plans to reduce aviation emissions (because targets are easy, action is hard). It will also explore alternative travel options because apparently, trains and boats still exist. And, crucially, Cheap Flights is expected to tackle the question everyone’s secretly wondering: will greener flying inevitably mean pricier flying? Spoiler alert: Probably.
Cheap Flights: What They Really Mean For You airs Thursday, November 28, 2024, at 21:00 on BBC One.
