United Airlines Makes History with Special SAF Flight

(02 Dec 2021)  United Airlines operated a special flight on Wednesday, flying passengers from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport to Washington D.C.’s Reagan National Airport using a new Boeing 737 MAX 8 with 500 gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in one engine and the same amount of conventional jet fuel in the other engine.

Currently, airlines are only permitted to use a maximum of 50% SAF on board. The SAF used on Wednesday’s flight is drop-in ready and compatible with existing aircraft fleets.

The aim of demonstration flight was to further prove there are no operational differences between the two and to set the stage for more scalable uses of SAF by all airlines in the future.

United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8

United operated the flight in partnership with Boeing, CFM International, Virent – a subsidiary of Marathon – whose technology enables 100% drop-in SAF, and World Energy – North America’s only commercial SAF producer.

“United continues to lead from the front when it comes to climate change action,” said United CEO Scott Kirby. “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.”

United is a leader in the usage and support of the development of SAF, an alternative fuel made with non-petroleum feedstocks, already having agreements to purchase nearly twice as much SAF as the known agreements of all other global airlines combined.

SAF has the potential to deliver the performance of petroleum-based jet fuel but with a fraction of its carbon footprint, and according to the U.S. Department of Energy, the country’s vast feedstock resources are enough to meet the projected fuel demand of the entire U.S. aviation industry.

“We are honored to be part of this landmark event,” said Gaël Méheust, president & CEO of CFM International. “Drop-in SAF is something our industry can adopt now to begin making inroads on our commitment to be net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Along with our parent companies, GE Aviation and Safran Aircraft Engines, we applaud United for taking this bold initiative and look forward to even greater cooperation in the future.”