A Gulfstream Aerospace G600 aircraft completed the world's first transatlantic flight burning 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), flying from Savannah, Georgia to Farnborough, England, in 6 hours and 56 minutes.
With the aviation industry’s focus on how to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050, there is an inevitable race to complete the first transatlantic flight using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Companies such as Virgin Atlantic and Rolls-Royce have entered the competition, but the winner was a Gulfstream business jet powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW815GA engines.
SAF aims to reduce aviation’s carbon emissions by using resources that are less dependent on fossil fuels – and that doesn’t just mean second-hand pan oil. These sources include corn, seed oils, algae, animal fats, oils, greases, farm residues, forestry residues, lumber mill residues, municipal liquid and solid waste, and crops grown for energy uses.
According to Gulfstream, SAF has the potential to reduce net carbon emissions by 70% and reduce sulfur emissions. Data from the November 19, 2023 transatlantic flight will not only be used to convince the FAA to allow 100% SAF to be legally used in general, but will also be used to improve the fuel to further reduce emissions and improve performance for long-duration flights in cold conditions.
"Gulfstream is innovating for a sustainable future," said Gulfstream President Mark Burns. "One of the keys to achieving business aviation's long-term decarbonization goals is the widespread use of SAF as an alternative to fossil jet fuel. The completion of this world-class flight helps advance business aviation's overall sustainability mission and create a positive environmental impact for generations to come."