The airline industry is relying on new technology, advances in aircraft and even ideas that may have once sounded like science fiction to address its role in climate change.
Sustainable aviation fuel is a big part of United’s effort. The recently approved Inflation Reduction Act includes tax credits to drive greater use of sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF, which is an alternative jet fuel made from more sustainable sources of carbon, such as fats and organic municipal waste, than conventional petroleum fuel. When SAF is blended equally with conventional jet fuel, it can cut carbon emissions by 40%.
Creating change inside a major airline comes with challenges. Last year, Alaska Airlines incorporated the company’s progress in reaching the “carbon intensity target” to account for 10% of each employee’s performance-based pay. Last year, Alaska unveiled a partnership with Airspace Intelligence that relies on artificial intelligence and machine learning to allow the airline’s dispatchers to optimize routes and improve the predictability and flow of airline traffic.