Permit granted for first transatlantic flight with 100 per cent Sustainable Aviation Fuel

The airline said it plans to fly from London Heathrow to New York JFK airport on 28 November 2023 to test and showcase the feasibility of flying on 100 per cent SAF.

The permit follows technical reviews by the regulator, which analysed different aspects of the planned flight, including undertaking ground testing with Rolls Royce on a Trent 1000 engine running on 100 per cent SAF.

Led by Virgin Atlantic and partly funded by Department for Transport, preparation for the flight of the 787 Dreamliner has involved a consortium comprised of Boeing, Rolls-Royce, BP, and others, to demonstrate SAF as an alternative to regular jet fuel.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority worked closely with the consortium throughout their application and will continue to work alongside the industry to learn more about the performance and impact of sustainable aviation fuels.

In a statement, Rob Bishton, chief executive at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “As the UK’s aviation regulator, it’s important that we safely enable the industry to embrace more sustainable practices and push the boundaries of what’s possible to create a greener aviation industry.