United Airlines, Inc. – the Chicago-based carrier, is happily dressing its upcoming 787 aircraft in a new SAF livery, as shared by Aviation insider JonNyc on his Twitter page.

Earlier this year, United Airlines became the first airline to purchase sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for use at O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and the Governor of Illinois – JB Pritzker joined the airline’s leadership at ORD to highlight the role that Illinois’ SAF tax credits played in bringing sustainable aviation fuel to one of the largest airports in the United States.

United has committed to buying up to one million gallons of SAF from Neste MY – a leading producer of sustainable fuels and renewable feedstock solutions.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport will become the fifth airport in the airline’s network to use the alternative fuel, further committing to its net zero goal of reducing emissions by 2050 without relying on carbon offsets.

SAF is expensive and costs 120% -700% more than fossil-based jet fuel, but taking the first step toward a clean aviation environment goes a long way in the years to come.

N24988 In the Spotlight

The latest aircraft – a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which currently holds United States registration N24988, is painted in “The future is SAF” and will be configured in a three-class layout with the following seating capacity:

• 48 Business class
• 21 Premium Economy
• 188 Economy class

Last year, United had ordered 110 new aircraft with deliveries starting in 2028. With the order of 50 Boeing 787-9, United also secured new options for up to 50 more Boeing 787s at the end of the decade. With new and larger aircraft, the plan seems evident to grow the market - both domestically and internationally.

According to Boeing, the 787 Dreamliner contributes up to a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions per seat compared with the airplanes it replaces.

United expects that 75% of its fleet will be new-generation by 2030.

United SAF Vision

To be 100% green by 2050 and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 100% in that timeframe, United Airlines is taking important steps.

It helped found the SAF Coalition, a consortium of more than 40 airlines and aircraft operators, agricultural enterprises, aircraft equipment manufacturers, airports, technology developers, labor unions, and biofuel producers.

United's roadmap to achieve its emission goals includes - driving operational efficiencies, adding hundreds of new fuel-efficient planes, using SAF, and investing in other low-carbon onboard products and alternate propulsion technologies.

They also partnered with the San Francisco 49ers, with the 49ers purchasing enough SAF to offset their game-related flight on United Airlines.

United is serious about sustainable aviation as it launched the Sustainable Flight Fund, a first-of-its-kind investment in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Totaling over $200 million in assets from United and their corporate partners and over $450,000 in contributions from customers to supplement United’s investment, the fund supports start-ups working on SAF research, production, and technology.