United Airlines has earned Audubon International’s Green Hospitality certification for its United Club at Los Angeles International Airport’s Terminal 7. The gold-level designation recognizes the lounge’s strong indoor air quality, its composting program, and its broader commitment to sustainability. While United has received other green certifications for clubs in different cities, this is the first certification awarded by Audubon International, a nonprofit focused on environmental education and natural resource management.
In addition to the lounge certification, United has partnered with Audubon International on wildlife protection initiatives around New York-area airports. That collaboration includes a Raptor Relocation Program to move raptors to suitable habitats, reducing risks to both wildlife and aircraft in busy airport environments.
“As an industry-leading airline in green initiatives, we are constantly pursuing ways to reduce our footprint, whether through our use of low-carbon, sustainable aviation biofuel or our revaluation of onboard materials that resulted in keeping 30,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide out of the air each year,” said Gavin Molloy, vice president of corporate real estate and environmental affairs at United. “Teaming up with Audubon International enables us to further reduce our impact on the environment not just in the air but also at our facilities across our system.”
Samantha Bricker, deputy executive director for environmental programs at Los Angeles World Airports, noted the shared priority of sustainability. “At Los Angeles International Airport, being at the forefront of environmental sustainability is a top priority not only for our airport, but for our airline partners as well,” she said. “We are pleased that United chose this Los Angeles United Club lounge to be the first to achieve certification through the new Audubon International Green Hospitality Program and we look forward to continuing to work with United on environmental stewardship efforts.”
The certification highlights ongoing efforts by both the airline and airport partners to improve environmental performance in airport facilities. Measures such as improving indoor air quality, implementing composting and waste-reduction programs, and collaborating on wildlife management demonstrate actionable steps toward reducing environmental impact. United’s work on sustainable aviation fuels and material choices for inflight service further complements these facility-level initiatives, illustrating a multi-faceted approach to sustainability across operations.
By combining facility improvements, operational changes and community partnerships, United and its airport partners aim to set a higher standard for environmental stewardship in aviation. The Audubon International Gold certification for the Terminal 7 United Club underscores progress at the local level while also reinforcing broader corporate sustainability goals that address emissions, resource use and wildlife protection across airport ecosystems.