United Airlines has become the first carrier to bring sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the United States. Neste will supply up to 1 million gallons of its Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel, with the initial delivery arriving in August.
“This is what happens when innovation, leadership and policy come together,” said Brett Hart, United’s president, who joined Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker at O’Hare for the announcement. Hart noted that while SAF markets are still emerging, collaboration among airlines, policymakers and fuel producers can accelerate growth. In Illinois, state tax incentives helped make SAF deliveries to O’Hare possible.
United has set an ambitious environmental goal of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 without relying on voluntary carbon offsets, and it has been a frontrunner in purchasing SAF. In 2023 United led U.S. airlines in SAF purchases as part of its broader strategy to cut aviation emissions.
© United Airlines
Sustainable aviation fuel is made from renewable materials and can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 85 percent compared with conventional jet fuel. Because SAF is compatible with existing aircraft and fueling infrastructure, it represents one of the most scalable pathways for aviation to reduce its carbon footprint and move toward net-zero operations.
Beyond direct purchases of SAF, United has been active advocating policies to expand the SAF market. The airline supports a federal SAF Blender’s Tax Credit to encourage blending and production and has backed incentives for hydrogen production and carbon capture technologies. At the state level, United helped advance SAF tax credits in Illinois, Colorado, California and Washington.
United also helped found the SAF Coalition, a broad industry group that brings together airlines, aircraft makers, biofuel producers, airports, agricultural partners, technology developers and labor organizations to scale SAF production and use across aviation.
Other measures United is pursuing to meet its environmental targets include investing in more fuel-efficient aircraft, reducing onboard product carbon intensity, exploring alternative propulsion technologies, and engaging corporate customers to accelerate demand for sustainable fuel.
For more information, visit united.com.
