First ever net zero transatlantic flight to fly from London next year

The first ever net zero transatlantic flight will take off from the UK next year, the government has announced.

Virgin Atlantic received government funding to make the flight using only sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Produced from diverse sources such as used cooking oil, sewage, household rubbish, or even CO₂ itself, SAF can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional fuel, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It can be used without modifying engines.

In 2023, one of Virgin Atlantic’s Boeing 787s, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, will take off from London Heathrow and make the journey to New York’s John F Kennedy Airport.

This flight is expected to be fuelled by SAF made primarily from waste oils and fats, such as used cooking oil. The use of 100% SAF on the flight, combined with carbon removal through biochar credits – a material which traps and stores carbon taken from the atmosphere – will make the flight net zero.

Transport secretary Mark Harper said:  “For decades, flying from London to New York has symbolised aviation’s ability to connect people and drive international progress. It’s now going to be at the forefront of cutting carbon emissions from flying. 

“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 – bringing together some of the best businesses and academics in the world and led by a British airline.”

Shai Weiss, Virgin Atlantic CEO, said: “This challenge recognises the critical role that SAF has to play in decarbonising 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 supporting the investment, collaboration and urgency needed to produce SAF at scale. Our collective ambition of net zero by 2050 depends on it.”

The government will introduce a SAF mandate by 2030, requiring at least 10% of jet fuel to be made from sustainable sources.

Navigate a turbulent future by watching Aerospace & Defence webinars, now available to watch on-demand here. 

Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.