United Airlines embraces biofuel for its ‘Flight for the Planet’

United Airlines has become the first airline to utilize sustainable aviation biofuel, zero cabin waste efforts, carbon offsetting, and operational efficiencies. The commercial flight known as the “Flight for the Planet” is the most eco- friendly design in aviation history. The successful performance of the “Flight for the Planet” is beacon for other airliners to follow.

United Airlines, a longstanding leader among all global carriers in environmental sustainability, made history on June 5 – World Environment Day – with the departure of the Flight for the Planet, the most eco-friendly commercial flight of its kind in the history of aviation. On the Flight for the Planet, United became the first known airline to demonstrate all of the following key actions on a single commercial flight: utilization of sustainable aviation biofuel; zero cabin waste efforts; carbon offsetting; and operational efficiencies.

United is using the Flight for the Planet to evaluate key measures of flying as sustainably as possible using the airline’s current technology, resources and fuel-saving procedures. The flight departed from gate B12 at United’s hometown hub of Chicago O’Hare for its “eco-hub” in Los Angeles, where sustainable aviation biofuel has helped power all the airline’s flights from the Southern California hub since 2016.

The Flight for the Planet further illustrates United’s commitment to its bold pledge to reduce its carbon footprint by 50 per cent by 2050.

United’s commitment to the environment

United’s Flight for the Planet represents yet another innovative initiative the airline has undertaken to reduce its overall footprint and further ensure its reputation as the world’s most environmentally conscious airlines.

Some of United’s most significant environmental achievements include:

• Becoming the first airline globally to use sustainable aviation biofuel on a continuous basis, marking a significant milestone in the industry by moving beyond test programs and demonstrations to the everyday use of low-carbon fuel in ongoing operations.

• Investing more than $30 million in California-based sustainable aviation fuels producer Fulcrum BioEnergy, which remains the single largest investment by any airline globally in sustainable fuels. United’s agreement to purchase nearly 1 billion gallons from Fulcrum BioEnergy is the largest offtake agreement for biofuel in the airline industry.

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