In a ground-breaking moment for sustainable aviation, Virgin Atlantic‘s Flight100 was fueled entirely by Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The plane embarked on a historic journey from London Heathrow to New York JFK. This milestone flight was operated on a Boeing 787 with Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. It is a testament to a year of radical collaboration among key industry players.
The journey of collaboration
The success of Flight100 is the result of a consortium led by Virgin Atlantic, bringing together Boeing and Rolls-Royce. Academic partners including Imperial College London and the University of Sheffield also contributed to the success of that flight. Moreover, the partnership was supported by the Department for Transport, showcasing the power of collaboration in advancing sustainable aviation.
Role of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
SAF, derived from renewable sources, plays a pivotal role in the decarbonization of long-haul aviation. It is a main factor in the journey to achieving Net Zero 2050. While technologies like electricity and hydrogen are on the horizon, SAF emerges as a viable solution available for immediate use. However, challenges persist in scaling up production. This emphasizes the need for policy, investment, and swift industry-government cooperation.
Thus, Flight100 goes beyond proving SAF’s capabilities. It also marks a critical stage in understanding how SAF affects non-carbon emissions. Partners, including ICF and Rocky Mountain Institute, play an active role in this transition. They are actively involved in research to assess the impact of SAF on contrails and particulates. Hence, they are contributing to the development of sustainable flight planning processes.
The unique SAF blend
The SAF utilized in Flight100 is a distinctive dual blend, made up of:
- 88 percent Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) supplied by AirBP
- 12 percent Synthetic Aromatic Kerosene (SA) supplied by Virent, a subsidiary of Marathon Petroleum Corporation.
This blend incorporates waste fats and plant sugars. It not only powers the aircraft but also ensures a positive environmental impact by channeling plant proteins, oil, and fibers into the food chain.
Read: DP World, IRENA to accelerate the use of renewable energy
Industry-wide commitment
Rolls-Royce recently announced that all its in-production civil aero engine types are compatible with 100 percent SAF. This reinforces the industry’s commitment to overcoming technological barriers. Therefore, this achievement aligns with the goal of achieving Net Zero 2050 and paves the way for broader acceptance and adoption of SAF.
Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss emphasizes the importance of regulatory certainty and price support mechanisms for scaling up SAF production.
Meanwhile, Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Atlantic, reflects on Virgin Atlantic’s legacy of challenging industry norms. He said: “Virgin Atlantic has been challenging the status quo and pushing the aviation industry to never settle and do better since 1984. Fast forward nearly 40 years, that pioneering spirit continues to be Virgin Atlantic’s beating heart as it pushes the boundaries from carbon fiber aircraft and fleet upgrades to sustainable fuels.”
Furthermore, Mark Harper, Transport Secretary at the Department for Transport underscores the government’s commitment to supporting the emerging SAF. He states: “This Government has backed today’s flight to take-off and we will continue to support the UK’s emerging SAF industry as it creates jobs, grows the economy, and gets us to Jet Zero.”
Environmental impact of the Trent 1000 engines
Rolls-Royce’s Trent 1000 engines, powering the Boeing 787 mark a major milestone for the aviation industry. They deliver exceptional fuel efficiency and environmental performance. The engines, optimized for the Dreamliner family, showcase the technological advancements needed for a sustainable aviation future.
For more news on sustainability, click here.
