- Virgin Atlantic to fly from London to New York with 100% sustainable aviation fuel on Nov 28th.
- Sustainable Aviation fuel reduces emissions by up to 70% compared to Fossil Fuels.
Virgin Atlantic will fly from London to New York on November 28th, using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The UK granted permission for this groundbreaking initiative as airlines intensify efforts to reduce carbon emissions in travel.
Airlines are relying on SAF, which can cut emissions by up to 70% compared to fossil fuels, to make flying more eco-friendly while awaiting electric and hydrogen-powered alternatives in the future. Traditional kerosene is used alongside SAF in jet engines currently.
The UK regulator approved the permit after successful ground tests of the Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engine, which powers Virgin’s 787 aircraft. Virgin Atlantic must now seek approvals from regulators in the United States, Ireland, and Canada for this flight.
In 2021, SAF made up just 0.5% of aviation fuel, but many airlines aim for 10% by 2030, with the industry targeting net zero emissions by 2050, relying on SAF to account for 65% of fuel. “We’re committed to using 10% SAF by 2030, but government support is crucial for establishing a UK SAF industry”, said Virgin Atlantic CEO