Boeing, NASA, and United Airlines Collaborate on In-Flight Tests to Assess Sustainable Aviation Fuel Impact on Emissions

Boeing is collaborating with NASA and United Airlines for in-flight tests involving sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and their impact on non-carbon emissions.

Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator Explorer, a 737-10 aircraft destined for United Airlines, will be used in these tests, flying with both 100% SAF and conventional jet fuel stored in separate tanks.

The tests aim to assess how SAF affects contrails and non-carbon emissions, as well as to measure the fuel’s overall life cycle climate impact. Contrails, which are the visible condensation trails left behind by aircraft in cold, humid air, will be a particular focus of the study due to their potential contribution to global warming.

To conduct these tests, NASA’s DC-8 Airborne Science Lab will fly behind the ecoDemonstrator Explorer, measuring emissions produced by each type of fuel and collecting data on contrail ice particles. Additionally, NASA satellites will capture images of contrail formation as part of the research.

This project enjoys support from various organizations, including the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, GE Aerospace, the German Aerospace Center, and World Energy, which is the supplier of SAF used in the tests from its Paramount, California facility.

The collaboration between Boeing, NASA, United Airlines, and other partners demonstrates a commitment to advancing sustainable aviation technology and understanding its environmental impact.

boeing.com