United Airlines Reveals New Boeing 787 to Promote Sustainable Aviation Fuel

United Airlines has introduced a special Boeing 787 Dreamliner that highlights sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), showcasing its commitment to greener air travel. The aircraft, featuring a unique livery, serves as a "flying billboard" to raise awareness about alternative fuel solutions in aviation.

The Boeing 787, United's most fuel-efficient widebody aircraft, was an intentional choice for this message. It uses 20-25% less fuel than similar planes, reducing emissions by an impressive 25%. This aligns perfectly with the airline's ongoing efforts to promote environmental sustainability through performance and design.

In a groundbreaking partnership, the San Francisco 49ers football team joins United Airlines in championing SAF. The 49ers are set to become the first NFL team to use SAF for their San Francisco to Los Angeles flight. This move reflects their dedication to reducing aviation emissions and aligns with United's push for wider adoption of sustainable practices in sports and beyond.

SAF offers a dramatic reduction of up to 85% in greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional jet fuel. SAF provides verifiable environmental benefits from renewable materials rather than fossil fuels. United Airlines leads the U.S. aviation industry in SAF adoption, deploying SAF blends at five major airports across the U.S. and Europe in 2023. These efforts contribute to United's ambitious goal of achieving zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 without relying on voluntary carbon offsets.

United CEO Scott Kirby emphasized the importance of SAF in reducing aviation's carbon footprint. "SAF has the potential to be a powerful tool to help reduce carbon emissions from flying," Kirby said. However, he noted the challenges of limited supply and public awareness. This partnership, he added, is a vital step in promoting sustainable solutions to a broader audience.

The 49ers bring a strong environmental focus to this collaboration. Levi's Stadium, their home venue, boasts LEED Gold certification and innovative solar power installations. The team is also part of United's "Eco-Skies Alliance" and the "Faithful to the Planet" initiative, which supports efforts to reduce ocean pollution and conserve forests.

Brent Schoeb, the 49ers' Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer, expressed pride in this partnership. "As the first NFL team to invest in SAF, this is a meaningful part of our commitment to more sustainable practices, and we're grateful to United for leading the way in this space," he stated.

Through this innovative partnership, United Airlines and the San Francisco 49ers are paving the way for a more sustainable future in aviation and beyond.

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