United Airlines Says Greenwashing Suit Is Blocked by Federal Law

United Airlines Inc. urged a federal court to dismiss a suit brought by a Maryland customer who claimed the company made misleading statements about its environmental initiatives.

The airline’s statements about using sustainable fuel were misleading because biofuels only account for one million of the four billion gallons of fuel United uses each year, Alexander Zajac told the US District Court for the District of Maryland in November.

Moreover, biofuel may emit less carbon dioxide when it’s burned, but its creation requires transportation, refining, and other emitting activities, said Zajac, who seeks to represent a class of United customers.

United ...