Virgin Atlantic’s Inaugural Flight with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Departure from London to New York
On Tuesday, November 28, 2023, the aviation industry witnessed a significant milestone as Virgin Atlantic’s Boeing 787 departed from London Heathrow for New York JFK. The crucial difference? This flight was powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in a bid to demonstrate the feasibility of greener air travel.
The flight, named VIR100, left London at 11:49 a.m. U.K. time and is expected to arrive in New York a few hours later. It was not carrying any paying passengers, but rather aimed to showcase the potential of SAF in long-haul commercial flights.
What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)?
Sustainable aviation fuel, also known as SAF, refers to non-fossil-derived fuels, including biofuels derived from plant or animal materials, municipal waste, and agricultural residues. In this case, Virgin Atlantic’s flight was fueled by a blend of 88% waste fats supplied by AirBP and 12% Synthetic Aromatic Kerosene made from plant sugars.
While SAF still produces emissions, the overall “lifecycle emissions” from the fuel are purportedly significantly lower than those from regular petroleum-based fuel. This has led to increased interest in utilizing SAF as a means to reduce the environmental impact of air travel.
The Road to Widespread Adoption
The use of SAF in commercial flights is not entirely new, with other airlines having utilized it on shorter journeys and in up-to-50% blends with regular fuel. However, the regulatory approval for Virgin Atlantic’s 100% SAF-powered flight marked a significant step towards pushing the boundaries of sustainable aviation.
The aviation industry has committed to reaching 10% SAF use for global jet aviation fuel supply by 2030, with several airlines pledging investments into increasing the use of the fuel. However, challenges such as supply shortages, higher costs, and concerns over the sustainability of its generation remain prominent obstacles to widespread adoption.
Looking Ahead
Virgin Atlantic’s CEO, Shai Weiss, hailed the inaugural SAF-powered flight as a milestone in demonstrating the viability of sustainable aviation fuel as a safe, drop-in replacement for fossil-derived jet fuel. However, he also emphasized the need for increased investment, regulatory certainty, and price support mechanisms to drive production at scale.
As the aviation industry continues to grapple with the environmental impact of air travel, the successful demonstration of Virgin Atlantic’s 100% SAF flight represents a significant step forward in the pursuit of sustainable aviation.
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