United Airlines Partners with Boeing and NASA to Test Impact of SAF and Benefits in the Aviation Industry

The aviation industry has been making changes and try different ways to reduce the carbon footprint. Airlines and airports have been working together to reach the goal of net zero carbon emissions in the coming decades. And now United Airlines partners with Boeing and NASA in order to test the impact of SAF and benefits in the aviation industry. 

These significant organizations are coming together for conducting in-flight testing. This will help in identifying the impact of sustainable aviation fuel on non-carbon emissions and aircraft’s contrails. This partnership will also find innovative ways to reduce the impact of SAF on the environment. 

How will the United Airlines, Boeing and NASA Partnership Work?

It is believed that United Airlines will be using Boeing’s 737-10 model aircraft that has LEAP-1B engines ( its second ecoDemonstrator Explorer) for a test. It will make use of two different fuel tanks. One will contain 100% sustainable aviation fuel while the other will have conventional jet fuel. 

Also Read: How Can Artificial Intelligence Help Us Get to Net Zero?

And in order to measure the emissions, NASA’s DC-8 Airborne Science Lab will be just behind the aircraft. Also, satellites from NASA will likely capture real-time pictures of contrails while they are produced during the tests. 

How will this Partnership Help?

It is believed that during the test, researchers will gather data to understand bow combustible engine designs, advanced fuels and various other technologies can help reduce impact of domestic and international flights on the environment. It will help the researchers understand how sustainable aviation fuel may change the characteristics of contrails. 

Impact of SAF and Benefits in the Travel Sector

Sustainable aviation fuel may help reduce carbon emissions by both short-haul and long-haul flights. SAF is likely to help save nature with significantly less carbon footprint. The impact of the alternative SAF can be as follows:

• Long-term impacts of SAF chemistry. For instance, paraffinic or non-aromatic oils can have an impact on the non-metallic material that is utilized in the making of fuel pumps. 
• Long-term effects from the corrosion and lubricity inside the fuel  system equipment may be equal as sustainable aviation fuel is combined with typical fuel additives. 
• Nitrite-based seat material may be replaced after removing aromatic compounds in alternative SAF. 
• As the bubble nucleation rates along with shock transmissibility alters, fuel system longevity may be impacted. 
• Additional testing may be needed to reduce the sustainable aviation fuel auto ignition temperature. Enhanced thermal protection devices may also be needed to be installed in the fuel tanks and may be even adjacent to flammable leakage zones. 

Also Read: The New United Club at Newark Liberty Airport Unveiled in Terminal C

Benefits of SAF

So, how much carbon does sustainable aviation fuel really save? If you are in search of the answer to how much carbon does SAF really save, here is your answer. SAF may reduce around 80% of carbon emissions by flights. This is when compared to the traditional fuel that aircraft have been using over the years. It also depends on the production method, the sustainable feedstock utilized along with the supply chain to an airport. 

Airlines such as Emirates and Indigo have started using sustainable aviation fuel in many of their flights. If you want to contribute to reducing the carbon emissions, you can book your itinerary with Indian Eagle travel. This will not only help you travel guilt free but will also help reduce your travel costs. So, why wait? If you are traveling from USA to India, book your flights today! 

What are your views about the impact of SAF in the aviation industry? Do you think the aviation sector can reach its goal of net zero carbon emissions soon? Comment below and let us know.