United Airlines to operate first US commercial flight on (Solazyme) aviation biofuels

November 5, 2011 |

In Illinois, the Digest has learned that United Airlines will operate the first U.S. commercial flight powered by advanced biofuel, utilizing Solazyme Solajet fuel, on Monday, November 7.

UA Flight 1403 will depart from United’s hub at Bush Intercontinental Airport (the heart of big oil) and fly to the airline’s hub at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. The aircraft is a United Boeing 737-800 Eco-Skies aircraft, and Continental pilots will be at the helm.

The flight departs Bush at 10:25 am CT from terminal C, and lands at Chicago O’Hare at 1:01pm CT, typically arriving at United’s Terminal 1.

The fuel, produced by Solazyme, is a 40/60 blend of sustainable biofuel and traditional petroleum-derived jet fuel. To date, all Solafuel has been manufactured in a partnership between UOP and Solazyme.

Just two years ago, Continental Airlines, also departing from Bush Intercontinental, operated the first US-based aviation biofuels test flight, using an aviation biofuel made up of 50 percent conventional fuel, 47 percent jatropha from Terasol, and 3 percent algae-based biofuel from Sapphire, working in partnership with UOP.

 

Category: Fuels

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