Virgin Atlantic’s Historic 100% SAF Flight: A Milestone in Sustainable Aviation

The groundbreaking 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) trans-Atlantic flight by Virgin Atlantic marks a pivotal moment in aviation history. Enabled by the innovative BioForming® Sugar to Aromatics (S2A) technology developed by Virent and Johnson Matthey, this achievement ushers in a new era of eco-friendly air travel.

Unveiling the BioForming® Process

The BioForming® S2A technology, initially invented by Virent and further developed with Johnson Matthey, plays a central role in this historic flight. This process converts sustainable plant sugars into BioForm® Synthesized Aromatic Kerosene (SAK), a key component in SAF. It represents a significant breakthrough in producing fuels fully compatible with existing aircraft and fueling systems, adhering to international jet fuel standards.

The Role of Bio-based Aromatics in SAF

BioForm® SAK provides the required aromatic content (8-25%) for synthetic jet fuel. This innovation eliminates the need for blending SAF with conventional fuel, enabling the use of 100% SAF. The adoption of bio-based aromatics not only aligns with current fuel specifications but also promotes cleaner burning and more efficient jet fuel, reducing particulate matter emissions.

The Virgin Atlantic Flight – A Testimony to SAF Potential

The Virgin Atlantic trans-Atlantic flight, powered entirely by SAF, demonstrates the practical application and potential of sustainable fuels. Operating with an unmodified aircraft in current service, this flight is a testament to the feasibility of using 100% SAF in existing aviation infrastructure. It marks a significant step towards reducing aviation sector carbon emissions, notoriously difficult to abate.

Future of Aviation: SAF and Decarbonization

This breakthrough in SAF technology highlights the pressing need for expanding SAF production and advancing sustainable solutions in aviation. Maurits van Tol of Johnson Matthey and Dave Kettner of Virent underscore the technology’s role in progressing towards carbon neutrality in aviation. The success of this flight signals a crucial milestone in the industry’s journey towards sustainability and decarbonization, paving the way for future SAF advancements.

The first-ever 100% SAF trans-Atlantic flight by Virgin Atlantic, powered by the innovative BioForming® technology, marks a historic moment in the aviation industry’s shift towards sustainability. It underlines the immense potential of SAF in revolutionizing air travel and the importance of ongoing innovation in this sector.

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