Virgin Atlantic Completes Transatlantic Flight Using Only Sustainable Aviation Fuel

December 1, 2023

Virgin Atlantic operated a Boeing 787 powered by 100 percent Sustainable Aviation Fuel on a transatlantic flight for the first time on Nov. 28. (Image: Virgin Atlantic)

Virgin Atlantic completed the first ever transatlantic flight of a large commercial airliner powered with 100 percent of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on Nov. 28. The demonstration flight, Flight100, was conducted in an effort to demonstrate the capability of SAF as a safe drop-in replacement for fossil derived jet fuel, compatible with today’s engines, airframes and fuel infrastructure.

Flown on a Boeing 787, using Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, the flight marks a world first on 100 percent SAF by a commercial airline across the Atlantic. The milestone flight was made possible by a Virgin Atlantic-led consortium, including Boeing, Rolls-Royce, Imperial College London, University of Sheffield, ICF and Rocky Mountain Institute, in partnership with the U.K. Department for Transport.

Today, SAF represents less than 0.1 percent of global jet fuel volumes and fuel standards allow for just a 50 percent SAF blend in commercial jet engines. Flight100's goal was to prove that the challenge of scaling up production is one of policy and investment, and industry and government must move quickly to create a thriving UK SAF industry.

As well as proving the capabilities of SAF, the Flight100 project assesses how its use affects the flight’s non-carbon emissions with the support of consortium partners ICF, Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), Imperial College London and University of Sheffield. The research will improve scientific understanding of the effects of SAF on contrails and particulates and help to implement contrail forecasts in the flight planning process. Data and research will be shared with industry, and Virgin Atlantic will continue its involvement with contrail work through RMI’s Climate Impact Task Force, which is part-funded by Virgin Unite.

The SAF used on Flight100 is a unique dual blend; 88 percent HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) supplied by AirBP and 12 percent SAK (Synthetic Aromatic Kerosene) supplied by Virent, a subsidiary of Marathon Petroleum Corporation. The HEFA is made from waste fats while the SAK is made from plant sugars, with the remainder of plant proteins, oil and fibres continuing into the food chain.

SAK is needed in 100 percent SAF blends to give the fuel the required aromatics for engine function. To achieve Net Zero 2050, the innovation and investment needed across all available feedstocks and technologies must be harnessed to maximize SAF volumes as well as continuing the research and development needed to bring new zero emission aircraft to market.

Rolls-Royce recently announced that it has proved all its in-production civil aero engine types are compatible with 100 percent SAF.

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