In a landmark achievement, Virgin Atlantic has unveiled the findings from its groundbreaking Flight100, the world’s inaugural commercial transatlantic flight powered solely by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Taking off from London Heathrow and touching down at New York JFK in November 2023, Flight100 marked a significant stride towards sustainable air travel. Operated by a Boeing 787-9 aircraft equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, the flight showcased the feasibility of SAF as a viable alternative to traditional fossil fuels.
Notably, the aircraft required no modifications to its engine, airframe, or fuel infrastructure, maintaining safety standards equivalent to standard commercial flights. Virgin Atlantic aimed not only to validate the safety and efficacy of SAF but also to raise awareness and stimulate investment in sustainable aviation fuel production.
Released today, Virgin’s report on Flight100 reveals compelling environmental benefits. The flight saved a remarkable 95 tonnes of CO2 compared to a conventional Virgin flight from London to New York, representing a 64% reduction in emissions. Additionally, Flight100 consumed 350kg less fuel than anticipated, suggesting potential fuel efficiency gains with SAF adoption.
Looking ahead, Virgin forecasts significant environmental gains with a 10% SAF adoption by 2030. This could translate to a reduction of 12,000 tonnes of fuel burn in the UK and 400,000 tonnes globally. Furthermore, Flight100 demonstrated a 40% reduction in non-CO2 particulate emissions, including sulphur oxides and nitrogen oxides, highlighting SAF’s potential to enhance local air quality and mitigate contrail formation.
Virgin Atlantic’s CEO, Shai Weiss, emphasised the pivotal role of Flight100 in driving industry-wide decarbonisation efforts. He underscored the need for urgent action from governments, oil majors, and private investors to scale up SAF production and meet ambitious sustainability targets.
Sir Richard Branson echoed Weiss’s sentiments, describing Flight100 as a testament to collective ambition and radical collaboration. While celebrating the operational success of 100% SAF, Branson emphasised the ongoing challenge of scaling up SAF production and reaffirmed Virgin Atlantic’s commitment to leading the charge towards decarbonising long-haul flights.
Flight100 was made possible through a consortium led by Virgin Atlantic and jointly funded by the Department for Transport. This consortium, which includes Rolls-Royce, Boeing, and leading academic institutions, played a pivotal role in realising this historic milestone.
Following the release of Flight100’s findings, a consortium-led “technical deep dive” is scheduled for 3 June, aiming to facilitate open-source information sharing and further advance sustainable aviation initiatives.
The SAF utilised for Flight100 comprised an 87% blend of hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) sourced from Portugal and Austria, supplied by Air bp, and a 13% blend of Synthesised Aromatic Kerosene (SAK) from Virent in the US. HEFA is derived from waste fats, while SAK is produced from plant sugars.
Flight100’s pioneering journey underscores the aviation industry’s commitment to environmental sustainability and marks a significant step towards greener skies.
SOURCE: VIRGIN ATLANTIC CORPORATE