Virgin Atlantic and Rolls-Royce completed a successful sustainable aviation fuel ground test on the Trent 1000 engine.
The test marks a key milestone which will see the first 100% SAF transatlantic flight.
Virgin will operate it to New York JFK on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner on 28 November 2023.
Fuel suppliers Air bp and Virent will supply the 60 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel.
The SAF will be produced through the Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids as well as synthetic aromatic kerosene.
It is part of Virgin’s mission for Net Zero 2050.
SAF typically delivers CO2 lifecycle emissions savings of more than 70% whilst performing like the traditional jet fuel.
Currently, SAF represents less than 0.1% of jet fuel volumes.
The trial project, joint funded by the Department for Transport, includes Boeing, University of Sheffield, Imperial College London and Rocky Mountain Institute.
The successful bench engine test is a key milestone, however further safety approvals are required for the flight.
Virgin Atlantic and the consortium will leverage the 100% SAF transatlantic flight to further SAF use.
Shai Weiss, CEO, Virgin Atlantic, said: “This 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel transatlantic flight will be a historic moment in aviation’s roadmap to decarbonisation.”
“We need UK government support to create a UK SAF industry for every single flight out of the UK to operate with 100% SAF – if we make it, we can fly it.”
