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Flight-intensive practices and wellbeing: current evidence and future research

Guillen-Royo, Monica ; Nicholas, Kimberly LU orcid ; Ellingsen, Tanja ; Koch, Max LU and Julsrud, Tom Erik (2024) In Consumption and Society
Abstract
This article draws on social practice theory and wellbeing perspectives to outline a research framework for the study of flight-intensive practices. The framework is then used to discuss, through a non-systematic review, the social science air travel literature and to propose avenues for future research. We study both the work and leisure domains, with sub-cases for travel in academia and visiting family and friends. We find insights of a complex relationship between flight-intensive practices and wellbeing. On one hand, currently flight-intensive practices are linked to human need fulfilment, particularly in the family and social domains. Leisure-related air travel often enhances subjective wellbeing, as it contributes to positive moods... (More)
This article draws on social practice theory and wellbeing perspectives to outline a research framework for the study of flight-intensive practices. The framework is then used to discuss, through a non-systematic review, the social science air travel literature and to propose avenues for future research. We study both the work and leisure domains, with sub-cases for travel in academia and visiting family and friends. We find insights of a complex relationship between flight-intensive practices and wellbeing. On one hand, currently flight-intensive practices are linked to human need fulfilment, particularly in the family and social domains. Leisure-related air travel often enhances subjective wellbeing, as it contributes to positive moods and life satisfaction, but may not be sustained in the long term. On the other hand, flying, particularly frequent flying, hinders wellbeing by increasing levels of stress and health-related issues, and by straining work/life balance. Overall, the study suggests that policies to reduce the demand for air travel may not significantly compromise wellbeing if accompanied by infrastructural and sociocultural changes that support specific groups to still meet their needs for relatedness, participation, or understanding through low carbon transport, videoconferencing, or reducing the total amount of travel. We identify avenues for future research, both to consolidate our understanding of the practice elements that will support a shift away from flight-intensive practices, and to understand their direct effects on wellbeing. (Less)
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author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
keywords
air travel, wellbeing, social practices, flying less
in
Consumption and Society
publisher
Bristol University Press
ISSN
2752-8499
DOI
10.1332/27528499Y2024D000000030
project
FlyWell: how to reduce air travel and at the same time maintain a high quality of life.
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
f97241eb-3767-41aa-aa65-a7d22e0f2e1d
date added to LUP
2024-08-24 12:32:29
date last changed
2024-08-26 12:23:20
@article{f97241eb-3767-41aa-aa65-a7d22e0f2e1d,
  abstract     = {{This article draws on social practice theory and wellbeing perspectives to outline a research framework for the study of flight-intensive practices. The framework is then used to discuss, through a non-systematic review, the social science air travel literature and to propose avenues for future research. We study both the work and leisure domains, with sub-cases for travel in academia and visiting family and friends. We find insights of a complex relationship between flight-intensive practices and wellbeing. On one hand, currently flight-intensive practices are linked to human need fulfilment, particularly in the family and social domains. Leisure-related air travel often enhances subjective wellbeing, as it contributes to positive moods and life satisfaction, but may not be sustained in the long term. On the other hand, flying, particularly frequent flying, hinders wellbeing by increasing levels of stress and health-related issues, and by straining work/life balance. Overall, the study suggests that policies to reduce the demand for air travel may not significantly compromise wellbeing if accompanied by infrastructural and sociocultural changes that support specific groups to still meet their needs for relatedness, participation, or understanding through low carbon transport, videoconferencing, or reducing the total amount of travel. We identify avenues for future research, both to consolidate our understanding of the practice elements that will support a shift away from flight-intensive practices, and to understand their direct effects on wellbeing.}},
  author       = {{Guillen-Royo, Monica and Nicholas, Kimberly and Ellingsen, Tanja and Koch, Max and Julsrud, Tom Erik}},
  issn         = {{2752-8499}},
  keywords     = {{air travel; wellbeing; social practices; flying less}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{08}},
  publisher    = {{Bristol University Press}},
  series       = {{Consumption and Society}},
  title        = {{Flight-intensive practices and wellbeing: current evidence and future research}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1332/27528499Y2024D000000030}},
  doi          = {{10.1332/27528499Y2024D000000030}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}