EgyptAir Flies Newest Dreamliner Home Using Biofuel, Sets Distance Record

During the delivery festivities, Captain Ahmed Adel, chairman and CEO of EgyptAir Holding Company spoke to the crowd, “We are committed to the sustainable growth of our airline and supporting commercial aviation’s efforts to protect the environment. The 787-9 Dreamliner is a great fit for our network and provides our customers with a responsible choice for air travel”

An EgyptAir Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner preparing to depart for Cairo using sustainable aviation fuel. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey)

While the Dreamliner program was designed for exceptional fuel efficiency, the added bonus of the SAF is not only in the burning performance but in weight as well. Jets like the Dreamliner typically run on Jet-A fuel, which weighs 6.8 pounds per gallon whereas SAF weighs less at just 6.6 pounds.

Though only .2 pounds, the savings is when a 787-8 Dreamliner’s fuel capacity is 33,340 gallons. The fuel composition is 30 percent sustainable aviation fuel plus 70 percent Jet-A, meaning that 10,002 gallons of the total amount is lighter than a normal fill-up. The carbon dioxide emission should also be reduced by around 80 percent during the lifecycle of the airplane when using SAF.

The Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine that powers EgyptAir’s Dreamliners. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey)

EgyptAir leases its Dreamliner fleet from Irish leasing company Aercap, Boeing’s largest 787 customer with 114 owned, managed and on order.

“We are delighted to support EGYPTAIR’s fleet renewal strategy and to be a part of this important industry-first milestone,” Aengus Kelly, CEO of Aercap, said. “The 787 is a perfect choice for EGYPTAIR, allowing the airline to reduce fuel use and emissions by up to 25 percent while meeting its sustainable growth ambitions, as well as supporting Aercap’s target to transition its fleet to over two-thirds new technology aircraft by 2021.”

The biofuel used to power this EgyptAir 787’s journey home from Everett was created down the coast in a facility in Paramount, Calif. by World Energy. The plant is able to make the renewable fuel in quantities necessary for the airline industry. This particular sustainable fuel is made from agricultural waste mixed with the currently used Jet-A and is used interchangeably as a regular fuel without the need to change any engine systems.

Sustainable aviation fuel doesn’t require changing any existing aircraft or engine systems and reduces carbon emissions from the engine. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey)

“Boeing and the industry believe sustainable fuel has significant long-term potential to help commercial aviation earn its license to keep growing and meet our climate goals,” said Sheila Remes, vice president of strategy at Boeing Commercial Airplanes.