Alaska Airlines Conducts First Commercial Flight Using Forest Residuals-Based Renewable Jet Fuel

Alaska Airlines has completed the first commercial flight powered by renewable jet fuel derived from forest residuals, produced by the Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance (NARA) led by Washington State University. The flight, which departed from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., utilized a 20 percent blend of sustainable aviation biofuel.

Although the 1,080 gallons of biofuel used has a minimal impact on overall emissions, replacing 20 percent of the airline's fuel at Sea-Tac could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 142,000 metric tons of CO2. NARA, a five-year initiative started in 2011, includes 32 organizations and focuses on the benefits of using unused forest residuals for biofuel. Gevo, Inc. utilized its technologies to convert wood waste into renewable isobutanol, which was then turned into jet fuel meeting international ASTM standards.