United Airlines Flies Airplane with 100% Plant-Based Fuel

To flight control operators at D.C. Reagan National Airport, a United Airlines flight from Chicago O’Hare was just a speck on their radar screens. 

But the 100 people who were aboard that December 9 already knew that they made it into aviation history. 

Those lucky ones were on the first passenger aircraft flight ever to be powered by 100% plant-based jet fuel. 

According to Good News Network, the new eco-friendly jet fuel was designed by Virient and comes from agricultural waste like corn cobs and stalks. 

The United’s flight was a gigantic leap for aviation and the environment because up to now, legislation allowed only aircraft with 50% renewable fuels. 

However, after completing a successful test flight in October, Virient and United were given a green light to proceed with 100% biofuel. 

What amazes the most is that the jet performed the same as if powered by fossil fuel. 

This was hardly a surprise to scientists at Virient, as they already found out that their corn-stalk fuel shares many technical specs with petroleum-based fuels. 

This means biofuels can soon replace fossil fuels without replacing the entire infrastructure. 

With growing concerns about the sustainability of flying, the first carrier that goes 100% bio-fuel might not only reap government incentives but also become the preferred airline for environmentally-aware travelers.