Gulfstream Achieves Historic Trans-Atlantic Flight Milestone Using Exclusively Sustainable Aviation Fuel

By Greg Storm

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. has proudly announced the successful completion of a groundbreaking milestone—the world’s inaugural trans-Atlantic flight utilizing 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Executed on November 19, this historic journey featured a Gulfstream G600 aircraft, departing from the company’s headquarters in Savannah and touching down 6 hours and 56 minutes later at Farnborough Airport in England.

The Gulfstream G600, equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW815GA engines powered exclusively by 100% SAF, highlights the potential for the aviation industry’s future reliance on renewable fuels characterized by reduced carbon, sulfur, and aromatics. The invaluable data gathered from this endurance flight will aid Gulfstream and its key collaborators in assessing aircraft compatibility with upcoming low-aromatic renewable fuels, especially in cold temperatures during extended flight durations.

Mark Burns, President of Gulfstream, emphasized the company’s commitment to innovating for a sustainable future. He stated, “One of the keys to reaching business aviation’s long-term decarbonization goals is the broad use of SAF in place of fossil-based jet fuel. The completion of this world-class flight helps to advance business aviation’s overarching sustainability mission and create positive environmental impacts for future generations.”

The SAF utilized in this landmark flight was supplied by World Energy and facilitated by World Fuel Services. Comprising 100% Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (neat HEFA), this fuel type boasts at least a 70% reduction in lifecycle CO2 emissions compared to fossil-based jet fuel, contributing significantly to mitigating aviation’s impact on climate change. Furthermore, this zero added aromatics fuel minimizes its impact on local air quality and maintains very low sulfur content, thereby reducing non-CO2 environmental impacts.

Anthony Rossi, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Pratt & Whitney Canada, commended Gulfstream for pushing the boundaries in sustainable aviation and expressed the ongoing efforts to validate engine compatibility with unblended SAF.

The collaborative success of this milestone involved key partners such as Honeywell, Safran, and Eaton. Burns extended gratitude to all partners, acknowledging their pivotal role in achieving this milestone and fostering ongoing collaboration with the extended SAF community to drive the aviation industry’s transition to 100% SAF usage.

Gulfstream, as the first business jet original equipment manufacturer to embark on a flight fueled entirely by SAF, continues to advance its sustainability initiatives, solidifying its position as an industry leader in the pursuit of environmentally responsible aviation practices.