United Airlines Demos First-Ever Passenger Plane Flown On 100% Sustainable Fuel
Image via United Airlines
Back in October, Rolls-Royce successfully completed a Boeing 747 test flight using only Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)—setting off from Tucson Airport and making its way across New Mexico and Texas, before landing back in Arizona.
More recently, United Airlines has made history as the first passenger plane to operate using 100% SAF, proving that there isn’t any noticeable difference between using eco-friendly fuel and conventional fuel used by commercial flights.
Over 100 passengers, including the company’s chief Scott Kirby, boarded United’s new Boeing 737 Max 8 for the demonstration flight. According to Robb Report, the aircraft took off from Chicago’s O’Hare Airport and landed at Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC.
Image via United Airlines
At the moment, airplanes are only allowed to use a maximum of 50% SAF when flying, which has to be blended with conventional fuel. For this special flight, the airline received permission to use 500 gallons of 100% SAF in one engine, alongside an equal amount of conventional fuel in the other.
Following the successful flight, United hopes other airlines will be open to incorporating sustainable fuel in their aircraft. The numbers speak for themselves—during the 612-mile trip, the engine using SAF produced 75% less carbon dioxide than the one using conventional fuel.
However, considering that the biofuel costs nearly four times as much as the conventional option, more will have to be done to drive costs down before it becomes a practical choice for passenger flights to adopt.
Image via United Airlines
“Today’s SAF flight is not only a significant milestone for efforts to decarbonize our industry, but when combined with the surge in commitments to produce and purchase alternative fuels, we’re demonstrating the scalable and impactful way companies can join together and play a role in addressing the biggest challenge of our lifetimes,” said Kirby.
Aviation history is cleared for takeoff.
— United Airlines (@united) December 1, 2021
The world’s first passenger flight using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is en route to @Reagan_Airport. pic.twitter.com/63Don45bBg
[via Robb Report, images via United Airlines]
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