Photo: Virgin Atlantic/Instagram
This year could end on a high note regarding the promise of zero-emission commercial flights. A powerful consortium led by Virgin Atlantic is ready to conduct the world's first flight across the Atlantic powered only by SAF (sustainable aviation fuel).
Last summer, Malaysia Airlines was linked to a historic aviation milestone. It successfully carried out the world's first SAF-powered flight with passengers onboard. In June 2022, the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-800 traveled from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore using a 38% SAF blend.
Current regulations still only allow a 50% SAF blend for commercial aviation. Still, pioneers like Virgin Atlantic and Rolls-Royce want to surpass these limitations by clearly demonstrating the efficiency of 100% SAF for long-haul flights. The two are part of a consortium led by the air operator and co-funded by the UK's Department for Transport. The other prestigious members are Boeing, the University of Sheffield, Imperial College London, and Rocky Mountain Institute.
At the end of last year, Virgin Atlantic announced that the consortium aims to carry out the world's first flight across the Atlantic using only green jet fuel. After nearly a year of hard work, the project is ready for take-off. More tests and regulatory approvals are still underway, but the trailblazing flight is set to take place on November 28 this year.
Once again, a Boeing aircraft will be involved in a SAF-related global milestone. This time, Virgin Atlantic's flagship, the 787 Dreamliner, will fly from London Heathrow to New York JFK.
The official date confirmation comes after the project successfully completed ground tests on the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine using SAF. The particular type of alternative fuel that will power this historic flight is a blend of 88% HEFA (SAF produced through the Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids/HEFA method) and 12% aromatics (synthetic aromatic kerosene/SAK).
Air bp and Virent are the project's official suppliers. The total quantity of 60 tonnes (66 tons) of SAF will be used for all the research and testing prior to the flight, as well as the flight itself.
If things go according to plan, this trailblazing journey coming up in November will show that SAF can successfully be used as a drop-in replacement for fossil fuel. This means it can perform just like conventional jet fuel without the need for any engine modification.
By itself, this alternative fuel can't ensure 100% zero emissions but offers a high percentage (70 to 80%) of CO2 emissions savings throughout its lifecycle.
There are ways to deal with the small remaining emission levels, and the Virgin Atlantic consortium is working on that too. It plans to use various methods, from optimized operational efficiency to biochar-based carbon removal, to reduce CO2 levels even more.
Current regulations still only allow a 50% SAF blend for commercial aviation. Still, pioneers like Virgin Atlantic and Rolls-Royce want to surpass these limitations by clearly demonstrating the efficiency of 100% SAF for long-haul flights. The two are part of a consortium led by the air operator and co-funded by the UK's Department for Transport. The other prestigious members are Boeing, the University of Sheffield, Imperial College London, and Rocky Mountain Institute.
At the end of last year, Virgin Atlantic announced that the consortium aims to carry out the world's first flight across the Atlantic using only green jet fuel. After nearly a year of hard work, the project is ready for take-off. More tests and regulatory approvals are still underway, but the trailblazing flight is set to take place on November 28 this year.
Once again, a Boeing aircraft will be involved in a SAF-related global milestone. This time, Virgin Atlantic's flagship, the 787 Dreamliner, will fly from London Heathrow to New York JFK.
The official date confirmation comes after the project successfully completed ground tests on the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine using SAF. The particular type of alternative fuel that will power this historic flight is a blend of 88% HEFA (SAF produced through the Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids/HEFA method) and 12% aromatics (synthetic aromatic kerosene/SAK).
Air bp and Virent are the project's official suppliers. The total quantity of 60 tonnes (66 tons) of SAF will be used for all the research and testing prior to the flight, as well as the flight itself.
If things go according to plan, this trailblazing journey coming up in November will show that SAF can successfully be used as a drop-in replacement for fossil fuel. This means it can perform just like conventional jet fuel without the need for any engine modification.
By itself, this alternative fuel can't ensure 100% zero emissions but offers a high percentage (70 to 80%) of CO2 emissions savings throughout its lifecycle.
There are ways to deal with the small remaining emission levels, and the Virgin Atlantic consortium is working on that too. It plans to use various methods, from optimized operational efficiency to biochar-based carbon removal, to reduce CO2 levels even more.
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