Boeing, ANA celebrate first 787 biofuel flight

Boeing and All Nippon Airways (ANA) made aviation history on April 17th, as a 787 Dreamliner flew for the first time powered in part by sustainable biofuels. The delivery flight between Boeing’s Delivery Center in Everett, Wash. and Tokyo Haneda Airport is also the first ever transpacific biofuel flight. “Our historic flight using sustainable biofuels across the Pacific Ocean highlights how innovative technology can be used to support our industry’s goal of carbon-neutral growth beyond 2020,” said Osamu Shinobe, ANA Senior Executive Vice President. The 787 flew with biofuel made mainly from used cooking oil and emitted an estimated 30% less CO2 emissions when compared to today’s similarly-sized airplanes. Of the reduction in greenhouse gasses, about 10% can be attributed to the use of biofuel and approximately 20% to the technology and efficiency advancements offered by the Dreamliner.