Virgin Atlantic flies first 100% SAF-powered flight across Atlantic

Britain’s Virgin Atlantic is today flying what is touted as the world’s first flight across the Atlantic that is using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The flight from London Heathrow to New York JFK will be entirely powered by fuel made from waste products, which is estimated to cut lifecycle carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 70%.

The flight is flown on a Boeing 787, using Rolls-Royce engines. The SAF is a blend of 88% fuel made from waste fats, supplied by AirBP, and 12% fuel made from plant sugars, supplied by Virent.

“Flight100 proves that sustainable aviation fuel can be used as a safe, drop-in replacement for fossil-derived jet fuel and it’s the only viable solution for decarbonising long haul aviation,” said Virgin Atlantic chief executive Shai Weiss, adding that regulatory certainty and price support mechanisms are needed to scale up SAF production.

“Flight100 proves that if you make it, we’ll fly it,” Shai Weiss further commented.

The airline says that SAF is available for use now, unlike other technologies such as electric and hydrogen, which are still decades away.

“This Government has backed today’s flight to take-off and we will continue to support the UK’s emerging SAF industry as it create jobs, grows the economy and gets us to Jet Zero,” said Transport Secretary Mark Harper.

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