Virgin Atlantic consortium sets date for first 100% SAF transatlantic flight

In conjunction with Virgin Atlantic, Rolls-Royce has announced that November 28, 2023, has been set as the date for the first-ever transatlantic flight using a 100% blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), subject to additional regulatory approval. The aircraft in question will be a Boeing 787 with Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines and the flight will be between London Heathrow and New York JFK Airport.

Air BP and Virent have been named as the fuel suppliers, the blend comprising 88% hydro processed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) and 12% synthetic aromatic kerosene (SAK). SAF typically delivers CO2 life cycle emission savings of more than 70% when compared to traditional jet fuel. SAF has a fundamental role to play in aviation’s decarbonisation and pathway to Net-Zero 2050. Today, SAF represents less than 0.1% of jet fuel volumes and fuel standards allow for just a 50% SAF blend in commercial jet engines.

The one-off Virgin Atlantic flight in November will demonstrate the potential of SAF as a 100% drop-in replacement for fossil fuel. Virgin Atlantic and the consortium will leverage the 100% SAF transatlantic flight to further SAF use, as well as addressing other environmental impacts of the sector. Any residual CO2 emissions from the flight will be mitigated using innovative carbon removals from biochar projects.

Shai Weiss, CEO, Virgin Atlantic, commented: “The 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel transatlantic flight will be a historic moment in aviation’s roadmap to decarbonisation. Alongside fleet transformation, SAF is the most readily available way for our industry to decarbonise, but currently there’s not enough supply and without it and the radical collaboration required to produce it, we can’t meet our 2030 targets.

Rob Watson, President – Civil Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, said: “We are incredibly proud that our Trent 1000 engines will power the first-ever flight using 100% sustainable aviation fuel across the Atlantic.”