Historic Transatlantic Flight Marks Milestone for Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Virgin Atlantic has successfully completed the world's first transatlantic flight powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The flight, which used a blend of waste fats and synthetic aromatic kerosene made from plant sugars, departed from London Heathrow to New York JFK. While SAF still produces emissions, its overall "lifecycle emissions" are significantly lower than regular petroleum-based fuel. The use of SAF in long-haul flights is seen as a viable solution for decarbonizing aviation, but challenges such as supply shortages, higher costs, and sustainability concerns remain. Increased investment, regulatory certainty, and price support mechanisms are needed to scale up SAF production.