March 19, 2026, 12:17 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
TRAVELBOOK author Anna Wengel often travels by plane and feels guilty about it. Below, she explains why she continues to fly and believes flying is indispensable.
Flying is a bit like eating meat: currently considered bad. Those who admit to it quickly find themselves in a justification discussion filled with guilt-inducing comments or at least face a pair of disapprovingly raised eyebrows when flying in the era of climate change. This happens when the meat-eating frequent flyer meets a vegetarian domestic vacationer. They seem to be increasing, just like flight shame.
I am one of those meat-eating frequent flyers. And for both, I believe I have good reasons. I’ll write about the reasons for flying here. Why? Probably because I feel flight shame and want to justify myself a bit. But mainly because I think there are incredibly convincing reasons for flying—even though I take climate change seriously.
Binge Flying in Times of Climate Change Is Absurd
I understand the reasons for the discontent. I love our world and don’t want it to disappear in plastic waste, be destroyed by natural disasters, or succumb to any other nonsense. Yet, I still fly. And yes, I feel guilty about it. I also know that flying is bad for the climate. But I measure with multiple standards because I believe it matters how and why someone flies. Keyword: mindfulness. If I were to jet off every weekend to shop in Paris, London, Milan, and the like just because it’s so cheap, that would be simply absurd. Just because flight tickets are cheap doesn’t mean I should binge fly with the motto “It’s on sale right now.” Even domestically, I find flying difficult due to climate change because, given the short distance, it’s usually quite unnecessary. Here, the argument is: train travel is more expensive than flying. An absurdity, as most would agree. Something needs to change, that’s clear. Yet, I travel by train domestically.
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Travel Educates and Connects
However, to completely demonize flying, I find not only wrong but also dangerous. My main argument for flying despite climate change—and the reason why guilt doesn’t stop me—is: Without airplanes, I don’t get to know the world. Yes, theoretically, it’s possible. And as appealing as I find a world trip without a plane, it’s not entirely practical. At least not when everyday life at home and the frequent longing to see the world want to be regularly connected. To see faraway places, I have to fly. I often encounter the argument: Germany is beautiful too. Fine by me. But I don’t get to know the world in Germany, only Germany. But I want to know the world. Learn how it is elsewhere. How other people live. How incredibly beautiful this planet is in so many places. My main reason compressed into two words: Travel educates.
Another: Travel connects. I believe many conflicts in the world also stem from us isolating ourselves out of fear. When panic about “foreigners” is added, it’s dangerous. Those who travel—beyond the Baltic Sea—get to know the “others” and realize they are just people with feelings, desires, and fears. Especially in unfamiliar cultural circles, the traveler must somehow open up sooner or later. Even if it’s just a little. That’s how change happens. What am I saying here? Other cultures are usually a plane ride away.
Create Awareness Instead of One-Sided Demonization
At the same time, travel doesn’t always have to be just about personal enjoyment, relaxation, and fun. On many trips, I eventually felt the need to give something back. Simply because the land and people have given me incredibly wonderful moments. Especially regarding climate change and environmental protection, it’s easy. An example: Southern Cambodia is littered with plastic. Together with a friend, I eventually started taking bags to collect plastic waste. This brought us numerous puzzled looks. And the help of young Cambodians, who found our trash collection so exciting that they joined in. I imagine that at least one child’s mind sparked an idea. That’s how change begins.
Also interesting: The Dirty Dark Side of Cambodia’s Dream Island
And in the end, it’s about change, the changed awareness, to do something for the climate, environment, and togetherness. It can start by avoiding unnecessary cheap flights and taking the train instead of flying where possible. Just like choosing a bike over a car and perhaps even swapping it for a car-sharing membership. Uncomfortable insights can also be helpful, such as: Cruises are terrible for the climate, and nightly Netflix binges, according to a study, along with all other data transfers, supposedly account for four percent of CO2 emissions—and should perhaps be limited. There’s so much climate-damaging nonsense I can easily avoid if I just engage with it a bit. Then flying despite climate change is okay, in moderation and with healthy standards.