Virgin Atlantic gets CAA approval for its 100% SAF flight to New York
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The UK Civil Aviation Authority has given Virgin Atlantic approval to go ahead with its trial of a long haul flight powered with 100% sustainable aviation fuel.
The flight still requires approval from the US, Ireland and Canada because it will pass though their airspace. It’s not clear if the CAA has placed restrictions on the route to ensure it remains within range of a runway at all times.
The plan is to fly to New York JFK on 28th November – the first ever transatlantic flight powered in this way. The aircraft will use 100% non-petroleum based fuels which are expected to reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by over 70%.
Special approved is needed because, at present, regulations require a maximum of 50% SAF blended with 50% kerosene. In reality the low levels of SAF production mean that there is little hope of getting anywhere near a 50/50 mix for day to day use for many years. Virgin Atlantic is currently targeting 10% SAF use by 2030.
The test flight will be used to see how an aircraft engine copes with 100% SAF in a real life, rather than ground testing, environment. The Department for Transport has provided some of the funding required.
No paying customers will be allowed on the flight for safety reasons but we have decided that Rhys is potentially disposable and he will be on board! In advance of the flight he will visiting Rolls Royce in Derby to learn more about how SAF impacts standard aero engines – look out for that article soon.
You can find out more about the flight on the Virgin Group website here.
How to earn Virgin Points from UK credit cards (April 2024)
As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Virgin Points from UK credit cards. Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.
You can choose from two official Virgin Atlantic credit cards (apply here, the Reward+ card has a bonus of 18,000 Virgin Points and the free card has a bonus of 3,000 Virgin Points):
Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard
18,000 bonus points and 1.5 points for every £1 you spend Read our full review
Virgin Atlantic Reward Mastercard
3,000 bonus points, no fee and 1 point for every £1 you spend Read our full review
You can also earn Virgin Points from various American Express cards – and these have sign-up bonuses too.
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is FREE for a year and comes with 20,000 Membership Rewards points, which convert into 20,000 Virgin Points.
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold
Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review
The Platinum Card from American Express comes with 40,000 Membership Rewards points, which convert into 40,000 Virgin Points.
The Platinum Card from American Express
40,000 bonus points and a huge range of valuable benefits – for a fee Read our full review
Small business owners should consider the two American Express Business cards. Points convert at 1:1 into Virgin Points.
American Express Business Platinum
40,000 points sign-up bonus and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review
American Express Business Gold
20,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year Read our full review
Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Virgin Points.
(Want to earn more Virgin Points? Click here to see our recent articles on Virgin Atlantic and Flying Club and click here for our home page with the latest news on earning and spending other airline and hotel points.)
