Flight-Free Travel Initiatives

Amsterdam and Berlin are leading a major sustainability effort through the 'Swap the Sky' initiative, which promotes flight-free travel between the UK and Europe. Launched by Travel by B Corp, a coalition of travel organizations committed to environmental responsibility, the project encourages travelers to choose rail and ferry transport as practical, low-carbon alternatives to flying.

As the tourism sector faces growing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, Swap the Sky seeks to make sustainable travel both appealing and accessible. The initiative emphasizes creating seamless, convenient connections that rival the efficiency of short-haul flights while delivering significant environmental benefits.

Central to the project is a comprehensive survey engaging travel agencies, operators, and industry associations to identify barriers—operational, market-based, and perceptual—that limit flight-free travel adoption. The findings will inform a roadmap to help the industry expand sustainable options, demonstrating how collaboration and innovation can accelerate Europe’s transition to greener mobility.

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