Kuehne+Nagel delivers the world’s first transatlantic shipment transported on a 100% SAF powered flight

• Kuehne+Nagel secures the available cargo space onboard Virgin Atlantic’s Flight100
• The world’s first transatlantic 100% SAF powered flight by a commercial airline

NEW YORK : On November 28, 2023, the world’s first 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) transatlantic flight by a commercial airline successfully landed at New York JFK after its departure from London Heathrow. Kuehne+Nagel, a leader in sustainable logistics, actively engages in projects that encourage and promote the use of sustainable fuels within the logistics sector. As part of its efforts, Kuehne+Nagel secured the available cargo space on this SAF-powered flight and utilised the corresponding amount of SAF for the transported goods.

Yngve Ruud, Member of the Management Board of Kuehne+Nagel responsible for Air Logistics comments: “This is a historic moment in our collective journey towards sustainable aviation and we are very proud to represent the air cargo industry on the world’s first 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel transatlantic flight by a commercial airline. It is an honour to support this Virgin Atlantic led consortium, pushing the boundaries of decarbonisation in aviation.”

Kuehne+Nagel is committed to the science-based targets to decarbonise the logistics sector and drive the change towards a zero-carbon future. This flight represents the next step in sustainable aviation by demonstrating the potential of using SAF as a 100% drop-in replacement for fossil fuel.

The Virgin Atlantic led consortium, joint funded by the UK Department for Transport, includes Rolls Royce, Boeing, University of Sheffield, Imperial College London, and Rocky Mountain Institute.

The SAF used to power the two Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is produced by Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) and Synthetic Aromatic Kerosine (SAK) at an 88% SAF and 12% SAK blend ratio.

About Kuehne+Nagel:
With over 80,000 employees at almost 1,300 sites in close to 100 countries, the Kuehne+Nagel Group is one of the world’s leading logistics providers. Headquartered in Switzerland, Kuehne+Nagel is listed in the Swiss blue-chip stock market index, the SMI. The Group is the global number one in air and sea logistics and has strong market positions in road and contract logistics.

Kuehne+Nagel is the logistics partner of choice for 400,000 customers worldwide. Using its global network, logistics expertise and data-based insights, the Group provides end-to-end supply chain solutions for global companies and industries. As a member of the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi), Kuehne+Nagel is committed to sustainable logistics by reducing its own environmental footprint and by supporting its customers with low-carbon logistics solutions.

About Virgin Atlantic  
Virgin Atlantic was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984, with innovation and amazing customer service at its core. In 2023, Virgin Atlantic was voted Britain’s only Global Five Star Airline by APEX for the seventh year running in the Official Airline Ratings. Headquartered in London, it employs more than 7,500 people worldwide, flying customers to 30 destinations across four continents throughout the year.

Alongside shareholder and Joint Venture partner Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic operates a leading transatlantic network, with onward connections to over 200 cities around the world. In February 2020, Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic launched an expanded Joint Venture, offering a comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles across all carriers.  Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam in March 2023 as the global airline alliance’s first and only UK member airline, enhancing the alliance’s transatlantic network and services to and from Heathrow and Manchester Airport.  

Virgin Atlantic has been pioneering sustainability leadership for more than 15 years, committing to Net Zero by 2050 and continuous action that reduces environmental impact.  The airline operates one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the skies and has reduced its absolute carbon emissions by 35% over the last decade. In October 2022, Virgin Atlantic welcomed the first of 16 A330-900neos to the fleet, continuing its transformation towards 100% next generation aircraft by 2027.  In November 2023, Virgin Atlantic is leading an industry consortium to deliver the first 100% SAF flight across the transatlantic. Demonstrating that 100% SAF can be used safely as a drop in fuel in existing infrastructure, engines and airframes. The need to scale production is an industry imperative and Virgin Atlantic is committed to radical collaboration across the energy chain to support commercialisation ahead of 2030.