United Airlines Sets New Standard with sustainable aviation fuel Introduction at O’Hare International Airport

Reading Time: 3 minutes

United Airlines has achieved a milestone by becoming the first airline to secure sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for use at O’Hare International Airport (ORD). Governor JB Pritzker and the airline’s executives convened at ORD to spotlight how Illinois’ SAF tax credits facilitated the introduction of this eco-friendly fuel at one of the largest airports in the U.S.

Neste, the SAF supplier, will deliver up to 1 million gallons of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ to United at ORD in 2024, starting with an initial shipment in August.

United Airlines, the pioneer in setting a goal for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 without relying on voluntary carbon offsets, continues to lead the U.S. aviation industry in SAF procurement and utilization. In 2023, United outpaced all other U.S. airlines in sustainable fuel purchases. With this agreement, O’Hare becomes the fifth airport where United has invested in SAF, making it one of the most extensive SAF deployments among U.S. airlines.

“Since day one as Governor, I’ve committed to making Illinois a national leader in sustainability and clean energy, which is why I was proud to support a nation-leading SAF tax credit last year,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Illinois’s position as a hub of innovation with some of the most connected airports in the country perfectly aligns with the work of companies like United to build a more sustainable future for travel and reach our shared goal of zero emissions.”

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) offers a promising alternative to traditional jet fuel, potentially cutting greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 85% over its entire lifecycle—from production to consumption. Unlike fossil-based fuels, SAF is derived from renewable resources, significantly reducing environmental impact. This makes SAF one of the most effective and scalable solutions for advancing aviation towards net-zero emissions. Moreover, it can be utilized with current infrastructure without necessitating modifications to fuel systems or aircraft engines.

“This is what happens when innovation, leadership and policy come together,” said United President Brett Hart, who was at ORD today with the Governor. “While the market for SAF is still in its infancy, there is a huge opportunity today for airlines and policymakers to work together to support its continued growth – SAF at O’Hare was made possible thanks to Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Legislature passing tax incentives.”

United Airlines has recently acquired Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for its airports located in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, London, and Amsterdam.

“I’m pleased to see United Airlines making this significant move forward by using sustainable aviation fuel daily in flights from O’Hare,” U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) said. “One of the most important things we can do to make American aviation more sustainable is increase the supply of SAF. At the federal level, I’ve been pushing for the increased use of SAF, and I’m going to keep pushing to increase the supply of American-grown, American-made SAF, a true win-win solution that supports domestic farmers and blenders while reducing our nation’s carbon footprint.”

United’s Leadership in SAF Policy Advocacy

United Airlines has been at the forefront of advocating for legislation to expand the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) market. The airline played a pivotal role in the adoption of a federal SAF Blender’s Tax Credit, secured Department of Transportation grants to encourage SAF usage, and championed incentives for hydrogen production and carbon capture. On the state level, United has successfully influenced the enactment of SAF tax credits in Illinois, Colorado, California, and Washington, fostering the purchase of SAF for regional airports.

To further the development and deployment of SAF in the U.S., United co-founded the SAF Coalition. This coalition includes over 40 members, such as airlines, aircraft operators, agricultural enterprises, aircraft and equipment manufacturers, airports, technology developers, labor unions, and biofuel producers, all working together to propel U.S. fuel producers to lead this burgeoning industry.

United’s Strategy and Coalition Building

United’s comprehensive strategy to meet its emission reduction goals encompasses enhancing operational efficiencies, integrating hundreds of new, fuel-efficient aircraft, utilizing SAF, and investing in other low-carbon onboard products and alternative propulsion technologies. Recognizing that addressing climate change requires collective effort, United has mobilized the business community to scale up the use of more sustainable aviation fuel.

The SAF utilized by United is partially funded through the company’s Eco-Skies AllianceSM. In this program, participating companies collaborate to share the additional costs associated with purchasing lower-emission fuels. Since its inception in 2021, the alliance has collectively contributed to the purchase of over 10.5 million gallons of SAF. Companies involved in the Eco-Skies Alliance include Autodesk, Bank of America, BCG, DB Schenker, Envirotainer, First Eagle Investments, Marken, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Salesforce, Meta, ZS, SEKO, Sidley Austin LLP, and Yusen Logistics.

In 2023, United launched the UAV Sustainable Flight FundSM, a groundbreaking investment vehicle designed to garner support from cross-industry businesses to back start-ups focused on decarbonizing air travel. The fund has attracted over $200 million in investment commitments from United and 21 corporate partners.