A new Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330neo.

The future of low-carbon aviation is here. The first ever net zero transatlantic flight will take off from the UK next year, with Virgin Atlantic receiving government funding to fly across the pond using solely sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). In 2023, one of Virgin Atlantic's flagship Boeing 787s, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, will take off from London's Heathrow Airport and make the journey to New York's John F Kennedy Airport – a trip made by thousands of people for business, family, and leisure every week. But this will be no ordinary voyage.

Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss and Sir Richard Branson view a new A330neo, the latest airplane in the company's fleet.

When entirely replacing kerosene, SAF can slash lifecycle carbon emissions by over 70% compared to conventional fossil jet fuel. This flight is expected to be fuelled by SAF made primarily from waste oils and fats, such as used cooking oil. Using 100% SAF on the flight, combined with carbon removal through biochar credits – a material that traps and stores carbon taken from the atmosphere – will make the net zero flight.

Shai Weiss, Virgin Atlantic CEO, said: "As an airline founded on and committed to innovation, we're proud to lead a cross-industry consortium of partners to make aviation history by operating the first ever 100% SAF flight across the Atlantic. Virgin Atlantic's inaugural flight in 1984 was to New York, which is one of our most popular routes today. It will be an honor to pave the way for this important business and leisure route to becoming even more sustainable."

Mr. Weiss added, “This challenge recognizes the critical role that SAF has to play in decarbonizing aviation and the urgent collective action needed to scale production and use of SAF globally. The research and results will be a huge step in fast-tracking SAF use across the aviation industry and support the investment, collaboration, and urgency needed to produce SAF at scale. Our collective ambition of Net Zero by 2050 depends on it."

Aviation is one of the most demanding sectors to decarbonize, and without urgent collaborative action, it could be one of the highest emitting sectors for greenhouse gases by 2050. Challenges include the need to scale up SAF production and the existing limit on how much SAF is permitted in jet engines by current fuel specifications. Today, 50% SAF blended with kerosene can be used in commercial jet engines. Using 100% SAF, the consortium will demonstrate the potential to decarbonize long-haul routes and bring us closer to net zero aviation.

It comes hot off the heels of the world’s first sustainable fuel military transporter flight using 100% SAF, completed by the RAF last month using the iconic Voyager aircraft. 

British Transport Secretary Mark Harper said,  “For decades, flying from London to New York has symbolized aviation’s ability to connect people and drive international progress. Not only will this flight pave the way for future generations, but it will demonstrate just how much we can achieve when we work together on a shared goal. For example, bringing together some of the best businesses and academics in the world led by a British airline."

Virgin Atlantic is constantly innovating and is the preferred airline for Coachella Valley residents who wish to fly from Los Angeles to the United Kingdom. Virgin Atlantic offers twice-daily services between Los Angeles's LAX and London Heathrow, with plans to increase frequency to three times a day beginning in Summer 2023.

To book your flight from LAX to London now, visit www.virginatlantic.com.

Source: Pam Price