Airlines Facing "Greenwashing" Litigation On Three Continents

For more than a decade, environmental groups have accused airlines of "greenwashing" or misrepresenting the sustainability of their business operations. Now these claims are gaining traction around the globe. These groups argue that airlines advertise as environmentally friendly while their flights contribute to climate change. Although sustainability is a long-term goal for the airline industry, airlines now face consumer protection lawsuits in the United States, Europe, and Australia over ad campaigns touting the use of carbon offsets for these future commitments.

First Greenwashing Class Action in the United States Under State Consumer Protection Law

On May 30, 2023, consumers filed a class action lawsuit against a U.S. airline, claiming the airline misrepresented its environmental impact by advertising itself as being "carbon neutral" and that consumers relied on those statements in choosing to fly on that airline. The first-of-its-kind suit in the United