December 1 2021; United Airlines operated a commercial flight 100% powered by Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) with over 100 passengers flying from Chicago’s O’Hare International airport to Washington DC’s Reagan National.
SAF is an alternative fuel made with non-petroleum feedstocks, however it not 100% carbon free. The aviation section, oft a target for critics with respect to sustainability believe SAF to be aviation’s best chance at reducing emissions as things stand.
United Airlines Chief executive Scott Kirby stated: “United continues to lead from the front when it comes to climate change action.”
Sustainability is a complex topic particularly in the travel and tourism sector with significant and diverse supply chains, however, sustainable aviation fuels are the most measurable solution to reduce aviation carbon emissions in the coming decades. As such United Airlines success signals a step in the right direction.