To make our website work we log user data. By using this website you agree to our privacy policy
The very nature of an overseas expedition means we cannot deliver the immersive learning experiences and develop our young people in the ways we do without stepping on a plane. However, as part of our ongoing work to reduce our carbon footprint, we are committing to removing avoidable aviation from our trips – this includes the journeys we make before even leaving the country.
London airports provide us with the most options in terms of dates, routes, and cost. This means we can:
We will of course consider any regional flights that are available at the time of booking, however given the above reasons, a London departure is often the most feasible option
International tourism is vital to the lives and incomes of millions of people globally, however, we cannot ignore that aviation is the fastest-growing contributor to CO2 emissions. However, where long-haul flights are necessary and part of the worthwhile, meaningful journey our teams must make to get them to their destinations, short-haul journeys are simply a matter of ease. They are convenient but not considered
At Outlook we believe that air-travel should be reserved for meaningful, worthwhile journeys that benefit not only the travellers but the communities and destinations they are visiting. Other travel needs should be met through alternative, lower-carbon means
When you consider the rigmarole of catching a short flight including travel to the airport, security, waiting at the gate, boarding the plane, the flight itself, security the other side etc. the total journey is often equivalent to or very similar to the duration of your door-to-door transfer
What is true of an expedition than perhaps other forms of travel, is that the experience is about the whole journey – not just the destination. This should be true of travel as well, making the journey part of the adventure. Slow travel isn’t a compromise. In fact, at Outlook we believe you should fly less to experience more
If, when flight schedules are released we find that your journey to London does compromise your expedition experience, we will add additional slow travel days to your itinerary where needed. These will be stand-alone from your in-country itinarery and will simply allow you that extra space and time to reach your destination. A small food budget will be provided for the team for any additional time added to your itinerary
Fly less, experience more isn’t just about cutting down on short haul flights – even though we know they are far less efficient than their long-haul counterparts, primarily due to the large portion of fuel burned during take-off. It’s about making your journey count.
Travel has the power to transform. The pandemic showed just how devastating the consequences were for communities all over the world, when flights were grounded with millions relying on the income of international visitors. While there are inevitable negative consequences of making these journeys, we believe the transformational benefits – on travellers, communities and the destinations make it all worthwhile
Therefore, where we possibly can avoid aviation with domestic UK flights for example, we will, because these journeys are convenient but not considered
Of course, there is nothing stopping you doing this; however, it does go against the learnings of the UK Leadership Development Programme that the team will have been on for the last 18 months. During this programme we talk about responsible travel and the need to manage our own carbon footprints to become more considered, global citizens. As such, it’s not something we would advocate