Skift Travel News Blog

Short stories and posts about the daily news happenings around the travel industry.

Airlines

IDEAS: Virgin Atlantic Completes Ground Test Using Sustainable Aviation Fuel

1 year ago

Virgin Atlantic and Rolls-Royce have announced the success of a ground test using a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend on a Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine. 

Credit: Virgin Atlantic

The ground test marks a key milestone in the run up to the British carrier operating a Boeing 787 Dreamliner across the Atlantic using only SAF in November of this year.

Although according to the carrier, the realization of flight taking to the skies will be a challenging task ‘requiring cross industry collaboration and dedicated project teams working on the research, testing and operations to make it happen.’

While current SAF fuel standards allow for only a 50% SAF blend in commercial jet engines, Virgin Atlantic aims to demonstrate the potential of SAF as a 100% replacement for jet fuel.

The project is jointly funded by the Department for Transport, and is made up of a consortium led by Virgin Atlantic, that includes Rolls Royce, Boeing, University of Sheffield, Imperial College London and Rocky Mountain Institute. 

“The 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel transatlantic flight will be a historic moment in aviation’s roadmap to decarbonisation. Alongside fleet transformation, SAF is the most readily available way for our industry to decarbonise, but currently there’s not enough supply and without it and the radical collaboration required to produce it, we can’t meet our 2030 targets. We need UK government support to create a UK SAF industry to allow for every single flight out of the UK to operate with 100% SAF – if we make it, we can fly it,” said Shai Weiss, CEO, Virgin Atlantic.


At Skift, we are looking to unearth the most creative and forward-thinking innovations in travel through our Skift Ideas Franchise, which includes the Skift IDEA Awards, Skift Editorial Hub and the Skift Ideas Podcast.

You can listen and subscribe to the Skift Ideas Podcast through your favorite podcast app here.

Airlines

IDEAS: Virgin Atlantic Launches New In-Flight Pack For Younger Travelers

1 year ago

Virgin Atlantic is launching a new on-board activity pack and meal selection for its younger traveler’s this summer.

Younger guests departing from UK airports will receive their packs at the departure gate, and will include sunglasses, a sensory poppit toy, a holiday journal and an activity book with a selection of colored pencils, all created in partnership with RowType.

Credit: Virgin Atlantic

Furthermore, Virgin Atlantic will also be enhancing its catering offering for younger traveler’s.

The new menu will include a range of new healthy snacks, including an organic smoothie, giant cookie, cheese dippers, and fruit bowl. Additionally, chicken goujons, sweetcorn, and potato wedges will be added to the menu.

Credit: Virgin Atlantic

Paul Mills, head of inflight services at Virgin Atlantic said, “We’re incredibly pleased to announce our new kids’ pack and enhanced meal offering for children traveling with Virgin Atlantic. We love creating unique moments for all our customers onboard Virgin Atlantic, including our younger travelers.”


At the 2023 Skift IDEA Awards, we are looking for the most innovative airline projects defining the future of aviation, airlines, and the traveler experience.

Do you have an innovative technology product that deserves recognition? Head to the Skift IDEA Awards and start your submission today.