News Aircraft Aircraft manufacturers Fuel
Gulfstream completes ‘world’s first’ trans-Atlantic flight on 100% sustainable aviation fuel

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. has completed what’s being called the world’s first trans-Atlantic flight using 100 per cent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Carried out on Nov. 19, the flight took place on a Gulfstream G600 aircraft, which departed the company’s headquarters in Savannah, Ga., and landed 6 hours, 56 minutes later at Farnborough Airport in England. The aircraft was powered by Pratt & Whitney PW815GA engines, both using 100 per cent SAF.

According to Gulfstream officials, the data collected from the flight will help the company and its key suppliers gauge aircraft compatibility with future low-aromatic renewable fuels, particularly under cold temperatures for extended flight durations.

The SAF used on the flight was produced by World Energy and delivered by World Fuel Services. It was comprised of 100 per cent Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (neat HEFA), which has at least 70 per cent lower lifecycle CO₂ emissions than fossil-based jet fuel, helping to reduce aviation’s impact on climate. Additionally, this zero-added-aromatics fuel has a reduced impact on local air quality and very low sulfur content, which can reduce non-CO₂ environmental impacts.

Other key partners supporting the flight include Honeywell, Safran and Eaton, Gulfstream said.