Southwest Airlines has announced the world’s first “green plane,” a Boeing 737-700 that’s 472 lbs. lighter than a conventional model and saves 9,500 gallons of jet fuel per year.

It’s no secret that the airplanes are some of the worst polluting transportation methods available. According to Outside.com, airlines account for about two percent of “all glacier-melting, polar bear-killing emissions released into our carbon-choked friendly skies.”

To lighten the Boeing 737-700’s load, the company is installing recyclable InterfaceFLOR carpet, weight-saving seat covers and life vest pouches, lighter foam fill in the seats and aluminum (versus plastic) seat rub strips.