Flight100

Decarbonising aviation is one of the biggest challenges our industry has ever faced. It requires change at a scale that some say is too difficult, too complicated to make a reality. 

We disagree. 

At Virgin Atlantic we believe if we’re going to stand a chance at being successful then we’ve got to do things differently. 

That’s why we’ve transformed our fleet to be younger and more fuel efficient. And it’s why we’re taking action across every part of the customer journey, bringing a responsible mindset to everything we do.  It’s also why we’re leading the way in proving that flight on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) can be done.

On 28th November 2023 Flight100 took to the skies. Pushing the boundaries on sustainable flight, it was the first time 100% SAF has been flown in both engines, by a commercial airline across the Atlantic, marking a significant milestone on the path to decarbonising aviation.

Whilst SAF doesn’t completely remove carbon and non-carbon emissions from flying, it is a big improvement compared to fossil jet fuel. 

To read our Executive Summary Report, please click here.

We’re on a mission to achieve net zero by 2050, and SAF is expected to play a crucial role. To turn this commitment into reality, we need the production and use of SAF to ramp up - and fast.

Enter Flight100— a groundbreaking initiative designed not only to spotlight the potential of SAF as a drop-in replacement for traditional fossil fuels, but also present a first-of-its-kind, end-to-end lifecycle analysis of the emissions impact. Through this research, we stress the need for investment, collaboration, and urgency in scaling up SAF production, crucial for accelerating our journey to net zero by 2050.

But it's not just about the fuel. We're committed to making environmentally conscious choices across the board. Whether it's pre-ordering meals onboard, using reusable cups, optimising flight routes, or implementing reduced engine taxi, Flight100 showcased the sustainable initiatives we're already practicing and experimenting with. Initiatives like these will also form a vital part of our post-flight reporting, and shape the blueprint for our future flight plans.

Working with some of aviation’s leading experts 

Making a real impact on SAF isn't just about talking—it's about stepping up and leading the way. Transitioning to SAF is a monumental task that calls for an industrial evolution, and it's clear that no single person, business, government, or nation can tackle it solo. That's why we've rolled up our sleeves, working with some of the brightest minds in aviation to get this flight off the ground.

Well, who else? While 100% SAF flights aren't entirely new (the RAF pulled it off in 2022 over Oxfordshire and recently a Gulfstream private jet completed the first transatlantic flight) Flight100 marks the first for a long-haul commercial airline – demonstrating the potential of sustainable fuel in civil aviation.

The road to 100% SAF 

Embarking on a transatlantic flight using 100% SAF is no small feat. It's been a massive team effort - working together with our consortium partners to carry out the research, testing, and operations needed to make this ambitious journey a reality.

For over 15 years, we’ve championed the development and use of SAF. Many of our consortium partners have been with us along the way, as well as achieving their own successes, which has brought us all closer to Flight100.

Flight100 successfully completed its journey from London Heathrow to New York on 28th November 2023. We’re honoured and excited to be the first commercial airline to be driving the change that could decarbonise long haul aviation.

The industry may still be a way off from using 100% SAF on every flight, but Flight100 is an important step in the right direction.

* https://www.sustainableaviation.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/SustainableAviation_FuelReport_20200231.pdf