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Cooking oil just fueled a transatlantic flight. But is it a solution or a distraction?

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Virgin Atlantic completed the first transatlantic commercial flight powered entirely by Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), made primarily from used cooking oil, flying from London Heathrow to New York JFK. While supporters say SAF can cut emissions by over 90% compared to conventional jet fuel and works with existing aircraft, critics argue it is a greenwashing effort due to limited fuel supply and potential land-use conflicts. SAF currently makes up less than 1% of global jet fuel and costs roughly three times more than conventional fuel, leaving its large-scale viability uncertain.

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National Geographic article by Melissa Hobson examining Virgin Atlantic Flight100, the first commercial transatlantic flight powered by 100 percent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) made from used cooking oil, flying from London Heathrow to New York JFK on November 28, 2023. Covers SAF definition, carbon emission reductions (up to 90 percent vs fossil fuels), ASTM International regulations, criticism of greenwashing by environmentalists Gareth Dale and Josh Moos, supply limitations of used cooking oil, alternative SAF feedstocks (municipal solid waste, sewage sludge, alcohol), cost comparison ($2 vs $0.6 per unit), and long-term prospects for electric and hydrogen aviation. Quotes Mohamed Pourkashanian (University of Sheffield) and Joshua Heyne (Washington State University).

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