The realm of low-carbon aviation, a critical sector in the construction of a low-carbon economy, has consistently garnered extensive attention. This study, utilizing bibliometric analysis and employing the visualization software CiteSpace, constructs knowledge maps based on data sourced from 358 core journal articles and (Chinese Social Sciences Citation Indexed) CSSCI articles in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and 270 articles from the Web of Science (WOS) Core Collection. These maps elucidate the dynamics of research hotspots and evolutionary trends in the global low-carbon aviation industry by visualizing elements such as researchers, institutions, co-occurring keywords, surging keywords, and clustering time zones. The analysis reveals a dispersed pattern of domestic researchers with a need for enhanced collaboration, in contrast to more frequent collaborations among international researchers. Key issues such as fuel, carbon emissions, and environmental protection emerge as common focal points in both domestic and international contexts. Trends in aviation transportation and emission reduction are identified as converging research trajectories, with significant influence on the scholarly discourse and practical resolutions in the low-carbon aviation sector. The outcomes of this study hold substantial value for guiding academic research and addressing real-world challenges in the low-carbon aviation industry globally.