Rolls-Royce powers first transatlantic flight using green fuel

Engines made by Rolls-Royce have powered the world’s first transatlantic commercial flight using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Earlier this week, a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787, powered by the engineering giant’s Trent 1000 engines, successfully completed the flight from London Heathrow to JFK International Airport, in New York

The milestone was achieved thanks to a Virgin Atlantic-led consortium, which included Rolls-Royce, along with Boeing, Imperial College London, University of Sheffield, ICF and Rocky Mountain Institute, in partnership with Department for Transport.

Simon Burr, group director of engineering, technology and safety at Rolls-Royce, which has its civil aerospace site in Derby, said: “We are incredibly proud that our Trent 1000 engines powered the first ever widebody flight using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel across the Atlantic.

“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.”

The Flight100 project aims to prove that SAF is a safe drop-in replacement for fossil derived jet fuel and the only mid-term viable solution for decarbonising long-haul aviation.

SAF has a greenhouse gas emissions reduction of around 70% when compared against standard jet fuel over its life cycle – allowing greener travel and keeping the UK connected to the world.

This week’s historic flight was powered by SAF made from waste fats that cannot enter the food chain.

Among the passengers on the landmark flight was Transport Secretary Mark Harper, who was travelling to the US for an official visit to show how the UK is a global leader in transport innovation, including SAF and automated vehicles.

Back in December 2022, Virgin Atlantic and its consortium were awarded up to £1 million by the UK Government, following a challenge laid down by the Department for Transport to support the industry in achieving the first transatlantic flight on a commercial aircraft powered by 100% SAF.

Mr Harper said: “This 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.

“SAF will become an increasing part of the standard jet fuel mix, driven by our upcoming SAF mandate, with at least 10% of jet fuel being from sustainable sources in 2030.

“This will mean that business or leisure travellers can fly knowing their carbon footprint will be lower than ever before.”

Mr Harper was joined on the flight by Virgin Atlantic’s chief executive Shai Weiss and Virgin’s founder Sir Richard Branson.

Sir Richard said: “The world will always assume something can’t be done, until you do it.

“I couldn’t be prouder to be onboard Flight100 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.”

Mr Weiss 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.”