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Virgin Atlantic’s 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel flight
Today marked Virgin Atlantic’s historic flight on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), taking off from London Heathrow to New York JFK at 11.49 this morning. SAF is being touted as a safe drop-in replacement for fossil-derived jet fuel, compatible with today’s engines, airframes and fuel infrastructure. Although we have the technological know-how to produce SAF, there is nowhere near enough being produced to be able to be used in any sort of commercial capacity currently by airlines. BA has previously flown flights with part SAF. Flight 100 as the project was christened, was made using a B787.
The UK government has supported the initiative to the tune of £1 million with transport secretary Mark Harper aboard the flight. The government has set a target that at least 10% of jet fuel should come from sustainable sources by 2030.
SAF is made from waste products and has a role to play in the decarbonisation of long-haul aviation. The fuel performs the same as the current jet fuel but contributes to reducing the carbon impact of aviation.
While other technologies such as electric and hydrogen remain decades away, SAF can be used now. Today, SAF represents less than 0.1% of global jet fuel volumes and fuel standards allow for just a 50% SAF blend in commercial jet engines.
As well as proving the capabilities of SAF, Flight100 will assess how its use affects the flight’s non-carbon emissions with the support of consortium partners ICF, Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), Imperial College London and University of Sheffield. The research will improve scientific understanding of the effects of SAF on contrails and particulates and help to implement contrail forecasts in the flight planning process. Data and research will be shared with industry, and Virgin Atlantic will continue its involvement with contrail work through RMI’s Climate Impact Task Force, which is part-funded by Virgin Unite.
The SAF used on Flight100 is a unique dual blend of waste fats supplied by AirBP and 12% SAK (Synthetic Aromatic Kerosene) supplied by Virent, a subsidiary of Marathon Petroleum Corporation. SAK is made from plant sugars, with the remainder of plant proteins, oil and fibres continuing into the food chain.
Shai Weiss, Chief Executive Officer, Virgin Atlantic said: “Flight100 proves that Sustainable Aviation Fuel can be used as a safe, drop-in replacement for fossil-derived jet fuel and it’s the only viable solution for decarbonising long haul aviation. It’s taken radical collaboration to get here and we’re proud to have reached this important milestone, but we need to push further. There’s simply not enough SAF and it’s clear that in order to reach production at scale, we need to see significantly more investment. This will only happen when regulatory certainty and price support mechanisms, backed by Government, are in place. Flight100 proves that if you make it, we’ll fly it.”
Sir Richard Branson, Founder, Virgin Atlantic said: “The world will always assume something can’t be done, until you do it. The spirit of innovation is getting out there and trying to prove that we can do things better for everyone’s benefit. “Virgin Atlantic has been challenging the status quo and pushing the aviation industry to never settle and do better since 1984. Fast forward nearly 40 years, that pioneering spirit continues to be Virgin Atlantic’s beating heart as it pushes the boundaries from carbon fibre aircraft and fleet upgrades to sustainable fuels. “I couldn’t be prouder to be onboard Flight100 today alongside the teams at Virgin Atlantic and our partners, which have been working together to set the flight path for the decarbonisation of long-haul aviation.”
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “Today’s historic flight, powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel, shows how we can both decarbonise transport and enable passengers to keep flying when and where they want. “This Government has backed today’s flight to take-off and we will continue to support the UK’s emerging SAF industry as it creates jobs, grows the economy and gets us to Jet Zero.”
Simon Burr, Group Director of Engineering, Technology & Safety, Rolls-Royce plc, said: “We are incredibly proud that our Trent 1000 engines are powering the first ever widebody flight using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel across the Atlantic today. Rolls-Royce has recently completed compatibility testing of 100% SAF on all our in-production civil aero engine types and this is further proof that there are no engine technology barriers to the use of 100% SAF. The flight represents a major milestone for the entire aviation industry in its journey towards net zero carbon emissions.”
Buy Leading Hotels of the World points + 100% bonus
LHW Leaders Club has gone through quite a transformation recently, from being a paid scheme to being free and now allowing point purchases.
To celebrate the launch of selling points, LHW is offering up to a 100% bonus for purchases made until 26 December 2023.
For a limited time, you could get up to 50k bonus points when you purchase Leaders Club points:
- Buy or Gift 2,000 – 11,000 Leaders Club points and get 50% more
- Buy or Gift 12,000 – 29,000 Leaders Club points and get 75% more
- Buy or Gift 30,000 – 50,0000 Leaders Club points and get 100% more
However, I would definitely do the research as at the lower levels, the chances are that cash may work out cheaper. For example, Capella Bangkok for one night costs £622, whereas buying 10,500 points would cost £661. Obviously, if you were to buy a larger sum, it could well work out cheaper to buy the points.
You can access the offer page on LHW’s website here.
Longueville Manor Jersey
I visit Jersey most years as it is a beautiful place with stunning beaches and is easy to access. My favourite hotel to stay is Longueville Manor. The hotel has a spa with a hot tub and a fantastic restaurant. You can read my review here.
The hotel has a new special offer when you book three nights or more. You get a free room upgrade, as well as a complimentary three-course ‘A la carte’ dinner on the first evening. The offer is valid from 1st October 2023 until 27th March 2024 – based on Bed & Breakfast rates.
To check rates and book, contact our luxury travel agent partners GTC.
