United Airlines’ Sustainable Flight Fund

United Airlines has announced several new corporate partners to their Sustainable Flight Fund.

United Airlines Ventures has taken a groundbreaking step in fostering sustainability within the aviation industry through its Sustainable Flight Fund. This innovative venture focuses on investing in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), a promising alternative to traditional jet fuel. Derived from sources like cooking oil and agricultural waste, SAF offers a more environmentally friendly solution by reducing carbon emissions by an impressive 80%.

One of the key advantages of sustainable aviation fuel lies in its significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions throughout its lifecycle compared to conventional jet fuel. This reduction is achieved through various means, including preventing waste byproducts from decomposing and releasing gases or capturing emissions using plants and other feedstock technologies in development.

The financial commitment to this sustainable initiative is substantial, with the Sustainable Flight Fund amassing over $200 million in investments. United Airlines, alongside its 22 corporate partners, is spearheading this initiative. Notable partners contributing to this fund include industry giants such as Google, Air Canada, American Express, Air New Zealand, Aircastle, Technip Energies, Honeywell, and others. Their collective efforts have already paved the way for the future production of over 5 billion gallons of sustainable aviation fuel, surpassing the contributions of any other airline.

What sets the Sustainable Flight Fund apart is its unique approach to driving sustainability. This initiative goes beyond traditional corporate responsibility measures by actively investing in startups focused on sustainable aviation. The Sustainable Flight Fund is committed to reducing emissions and promoting the production of SAF through strategic investments, with plans to expand its network of partners and investors in the future.

As the aviation industry grapples with the imperative to address its environmental impact, the Sustainable Flight Fund emerges as a trailblazer. By marrying financial investment with a commitment to sustainable practices, United Airlines Ventures is positioning itself at the forefront of a paradigm shift toward greener and more responsible aviation. This initiative not only underscores the airline’s dedication to environmental stewardship but also sets a precedent for the industry to follow in the pursuit of a more sustainable future.

United Airlines sustainability efforts

2023 was a big year for United Airlines. In addition to launching the United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund, United Airlines became the first U.S. airline to show customers an estimate of each flight’s carbon footprint in their search. Anyone using United.com or the United app has the option to contribute to supplement United’s investment in the Sustainable Flight Fund. Users have the choice to contribute $1, $3.50 or $7.00.

The company’s newly launched Eco-Skies Alliance program also allows corporate customers the opportunity to pay the additional cost for sustainable aviation fuel.

In 2023, United Airlines also formed a joint venture with Tallgrass Energy and Green Plains to develop and then commercialize sustainable aviation fuel technology that uses ethanol. If the sustainable aviation fuel partnership is successful, the airlines will get up to 135 million gallons of ethanol-based sustainable aviation fuels annually and 2.7 billion gallons in total.

United aims to be net zero by reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 100% by 2050 without relying on traditional carbon offsets. In addition to committing to sustainable aviation fuel, the company intends to make a multimillion-dollar investment in a startup that will help fund the first Direct Air Capture plant in the U.S. The Direct Air Capture plant is planned to capture, remove and store 1 million metric tons of CO2, which equates to over 40 million trees.  

Moving forward

It can be argued that to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, we should simply discourage flying at all costs. However, United Airlines vouches for aviation as necessary for a functional, civil society to promote peace and collaboration across borders and national security. And they are working to mitigate the effects of air travel while continuing to provide services to those who need them.

And it shows that major companies like Google and Air New Zealand are committed to these efforts as well. In one year, United Airlines has managed to raise over $200 million to support its Sustainable Fuel Fund, which will have an impact on acquiring sustainable aviation fuel. These companies are making strides in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from air travel, and whatever their next move is will be important for society and the planet.