A Virgin Atlantic flight from London to New York marked a significant feat by becoming the first long-haul commercial flight fueled exclusively with 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), the airline announced.
Flight100 took off on November 28, powered by SAF 100% on both engines, as reported by the company.
While flights with SAF's 100% are not entirely new (the RAF had already achieved this milestone in 2022 over Oxfordshire, and recently, a Gulfstream private jet completed the first transatlantic flight), Flight100 represents the first feat of its kind for an airline long-haul commercial. This highlights the potential of sustainable fuel in civil aviation, according to the company on its website.
Virgin Atlantic emphasized that the full use of SAF reduced CO2 emissions from this specific flight by up to 70%, compared to conventional jet fuel, and any residual CO2 emissions were offset through carbon removals.
Virgin Atlantic carries out transatlantic flight with 100% from SAF, but faces production challenges
“This flight will not only provide valuable data on the carbon life cycle of SAF, but also demonstrate its potential as a fully disposable replacement for fossil fuel. Furthermore, it will support the increase in the production and use of SAF on a large scale,” the company stated.
Last year, Virgin Atlantic won a UK Department for Transport competition. The challenge was to make an Atlantic crossing using 100% of sustainable aviation fuel. The company faced the challenge with collaboration. Partners included Rolls-Royce, Boeing, Pratt & Whitney Canada, Imperial College London, University of Sheffield, Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and aviation consultancy ICF.
Despite the success of the flight, the company recognized that the sector faces challenges in terms of supply.
Based on the goals of IATA, airlines and governments, reaching 10% of SAF by 2030 would require 40 million tons of SAF, as established. In short, there is not enough product being produced. Currently, the fuel represents only about 0.1% of all jet fuel in use. This clearly highlights how much progress we still have to make,” the company said.
The company highlighted that, currently, flights can only use 50% of SAF. Obtaining approval for 100% from SAF on each flight is not practical for daily travel.
Source: Oils & Fats International
