British Airways just flew what’s it’s calling a “perfect flight” – its first carbon-neutral passenger flight using recycled cooking oil.
Tuesday’s Flight BA1476 from London’s Heathrow Airport to Glasgow Airport was powered by a mix of bp sustainable aviation fuel, made from recycled oil, and traditional jet fuel to meet aviation certification standards, according to the airline.
“This flight offered a practical demonstration of the progress we’re making in our carbon reduction journey,” British Airways Chairman and CEO Sean Doyle said in a statement. “By working together with our industry partners we’ve delivered a 62% improvement in emissions reductions compared to a decade ago.” A similar flight to Edinburgh in 2010 served as a benchmark for comparison.
Sustainable aviation fuel wasn’t the only thing that helped reduce the flight’s carbon footprint.
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What else makes the ‘perfect flight’
- British Airways used an Airbus A320neo, which it calls “the quietest and most fuel-efficient short-haul aircraft” in its fleet.
- British air traffic control provider NATS directed the plane in continuous climb and descent to avoid unnecessary fuel burn, leveling off.
- An electric Mototok vehicle, powered by Heathrow’s bank of renewable energy, was used to push the plane back.
- Only one engine was used to…
