United Airlines To Begin SAF Use at Chicago O’Hare

United Airlines is set to begin using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at its hub, Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), marking the first time SAF will be operationally used for commercial flights from this major airport.

Under a new agreement, United will purchase up to 1 million gallons of SAF this year, with deliveries from Finnish fuel producer Neste expected to start before the end of August. This move will expand United’s SAF usage beyond its current operations at Amsterdam Schiphol, London Heathrow, Los Angeles International, and San Francisco International airports.

“While the SAF market is still emerging, there is significant potential for airlines and policymakers to collaborate on its development,” said United President Brett Hart. The introduction of SAF at O’Hare has been facilitated by recent Illinois legislation offering SAF tax incentives.

United has been at the forefront of SAF development, including through its United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund. Despite this progress, SAF currently represents only about 0.1% of the airline’s total fuel usage.

Alexander Kueper, VP of Neste’s renewable aviation business, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting it as a key step in supporting the U.S. aviation industry’s decarbonization efforts.