Transatlantic flight by helium balloon

An adventurer has failed in his bid to fly across the Atlantic suspended beneath 370 multi-coloured helium balloons.

The story added a splash of colour to front pages this week

Jonathan Trappe’s voyage was to have been a less environmentally damaging – if more time consuming – alternative to crossing the pond by conventional aircraft, but a technical fault forced him to make a premature landing in Newfoundland.

Taking off from Maine, the collection of balloons crossed New Brunswick at 58mph and an altitude of 15,223ft before developing problems 70 miles off the coast. Luckily for Mr Trappe, Newfoundland lay in his flight path and offered a more inviting spot for landing than the cold Atlantic Ocean beyond.

What is the environmental impact of flying?

On every return flight to New York, each traveller is responsible for emitting about 1.2 tons of CO₂, which happens to be the same amount as the individual’s suggested ‘carbon budget’ – the emissions from an entire year of living. If we fly, air travel overshadows all our other actions.

You can offset the emissions for which you are responsible while flying if you buy a carbon offset.

Travel insurance for short stay holidays (including camping and glamping) in Britain is available to buy at little cost as long as it includes three nights paid-for accommodation. A one-week policy that covers against cancellation, curtailment and theft costs only £5.43 online from the ETA. Annual policies for Europe and Worldwide are also available.