Virgin Atlantic and Sapling Spirits Forge a Green Path in the Skies

Virgin Atlantic has teamed up with the climate-positive British brand Sapling Spirits, pioneering an industry-first initiative by introducing eco-friendly aluminium mini spirits bottles for its in-flight service. This collaboration underscores both companies' commitment to sustainability, with Virgin Atlantic already known for its significant onboard environmental efforts, such as reducing single-use plastics and recycling headsets.

Sapling Spirits, a B Corp certified for its positive impact on the environment, focuses on reforestation, regenerative farming, waste reduction, and eco-friendly packaging. A key aspect of its mission is planting a tree for every bottle sold, aiming to plant over 20,000 trees in their year-long partnership with Virgin Atlantic. This initiative aligns with Sapling's innovative approach to sustainability, including their adoption of 5-litre eco boxes for pubs, bars, and restaurants, reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional glass bottles.

The partnership also highlights Virgin Atlantic's broader sustainability strategy, which includes more than 15 years of sustainable aviation fuel development. The airline has introduced multiple eco-friendly onboard changes, such as using cups made from 95% recycled plastic, paper-based amenity kits saving over 9.4 tonnes of plastic annually, and eco-conscious replacements like bamboo drinks stirrers saving 6.5 tonnes of single-use plastic.

Virgin Atlantic's support for sustainable start-ups, like the Virgin StartUp supported Nice Drinks, the UK's fastest-growing canned wine brand, showcases its commitment to promoting environmental stewardship across its supply chain. Other notable onboard changes include replacing plastic headphone wrappings with paper charity donation envelopes and serving hot meals in containers made from juiced sugar cane waste, further reducing the airline's environmental footprint.