Commercial aviation produces about 2.5% of global carbon emissions, contributing to climate change. Efforts to reduce the sector's impact are underway, including the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). UK company Firefly has developed a jet fuel made entirely from human sewage -- pictured here in a laboratory during the processing stage. <strong>Scroll through the gallery to see more innovations.</strong>
Commercial aviation produces about 2.5% of global carbon emissions, contributing to climate change. Efforts to reduce the sector's impact are underway, including the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). UK company Firefly has developed a jet fuel made entirely from human sewage -- pictured here in a laboratory during the processing stage. Scroll through the gallery to see more innovations.
Firefly Green Fuels Ltd.
In March 2022, an Airbus A380, the world's largest commercial passenger airliner, <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2Ftravel%2Farticle%2Fairbus-a380-saf-cooking-oil-scn%2Findex.html" target="_blank">completed a test flight </a>powered entirely by SAF, composed mainly of cooking oil. In November 2023, a Virgin Atlantic 787 made the <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2023%2F11%2F28%2Ftravel%2Ffirst-transatlantic-flight-saf-climate-scn-spc%2Findex.html" target="_blank">first-ever transatlantic fligh</a>t by a commercial airline using 100% SAF.
In March 2022, an Airbus A380, the world's largest commercial passenger airliner, completed a test flight powered entirely by SAF, composed mainly of cooking oil. In November 2023, a Virgin Atlantic 787 made the first-ever transatlantic flight by a commercial airline using 100% SAF.
Airbus
While energy sources are still evolving, UK-based Faradair Aerospace is developing a design to squeeze the maximum efficiency out of whichever fuel prevails.
While energy sources are still evolving, UK-based Faradair Aerospace is developing a design to squeeze the maximum efficiency out of whichever fuel prevails.
Faradair Aerospace
Faradair's 18-passenger BEHA aircraft, made from lightweight composite and shown here in a rendering, can carry a five-ton payload and has a 1,150-mile range.
Faradair's 18-passenger BEHA aircraft, made from lightweight composite and shown here in a rendering, can carry a five-ton payload and has a 1,150-mile range.
Faradair Aerospace
Blended wing aircraft could slash carbon emissions. This rendering shows a design by California-based JetZero, which aims to have a plane in service by 2030.
Blended wing aircraft could slash carbon emissions. This rendering shows a design by California-based JetZero, which aims to have a plane in service by 2030.
JetZero
Airbus has also explored a blended wing concept in its <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2Ftravel%2Farticle%2Fairbus-zero-emissions-concept-plane%2Findex.html" target="_blank">ZEROe program</a>, unveiled in 2020. ZEROe plans for three hydrogen-powered, zero-emission aircraft, which can carry 100 to 200 passengers.
Airbus has also explored a blended wing concept in its ZEROe program, unveiled in 2020. ZEROe plans for three hydrogen-powered, zero-emission aircraft, which can carry 100 to 200 passengers.
Airbus
On September 24 2020, <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2Ftravel%2Farticle%2Fzeroavia-zero-emission-hydrogen-planes-spc-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank">ZeroAvia flew the world's largest hydrogen-powered aircraft</a> at Cranfield Airport in England, showing the possibilities of hydrogen fuel for aviation.
On September 24 2020, ZeroAvia flew the world's largest hydrogen-powered aircraft at Cranfield Airport in England, showing the possibilities of hydrogen fuel for aviation.
ZeroAvia
While some are exploring hydrogen power, others are testing electric planes. Washington State-based Eviation Aircraft is behind the nine-passenger <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2022%2F09%2F27%2Ftech%2Feviation-alice-first-flight%2Findex.html" target="_blank">all-electric Alice aircraft</a>, which produces no carbon emissions.
While some are exploring hydrogen power, others are testing electric planes. Washington State-based Eviation Aircraft is behind the nine-passenger all-electric Alice aircraft, which produces no carbon emissions.
Eviation Aircraft
The aircraft, shown here as a rendering, has a range of 440 miles and is intended for feeder routes. It also comes in a cargo version; DHL Express has ordered 12 slated for service in 2024.
The aircraft, shown here as a rendering, has a range of 440 miles and is intended for feeder routes. It also comes in a cargo version; DHL Express has ordered 12 slated for service in 2024.
Eviation Aircraft
In December 2019, Vancouver-based seaplane company Harbour Air <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2Ftravel%2Farticle%2Felectric-commercial-aircraft-flight-scli-intl-scn%2Findex.html" target="_blank">made history</a> with the first all-electric commercial aircraft flight. The <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.harbourair.com%2Fharbour-air-and-magnix-announce-successful-flight-of-worlds-first-commercial-electric-airplane%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver seaplane</a>, which was first flown in 1947, was retrofitted with a 750 horsepower magni500 electric engine from magniX.
In December 2019, Vancouver-based seaplane company Harbour Air made history with the first all-electric commercial aircraft flight. The de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver seaplane, which was first flown in 1947, was retrofitted with a 750 horsepower magni500 electric engine from magniX.
Don MacKinnon/AFP/Getty Images
MagniX made headlines again in June 2020 when AeroTEC's nine-seater eCaravan -- powered by the <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.magnix.aero%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">magni500</a> electric propulsion system -- became the largest all-electric commercial aircraft to fly.
MagniX made headlines again in June 2020 when AeroTEC's nine-seater eCaravan -- powered by the magni500 electric propulsion system -- became the largest all-electric commercial aircraft to fly.
magniX