SAS’s recent polar route flight from Copenhagen to Los Angeles, part of The Aviation Challenge (TAC), achieved a nearly 20 percent reduction in CO₂ emissions per passenger — a milestone in fuel efficiency and emissions savings. This flight highlights how planning and strategic route optimization can make a substantial impact in reducing aviation’s environmental footprint.
By carefully managing cargo distribution and passenger load, SAS optimized fuel use for the 285 passengers on board, creating a balanced load that minimized fuel burn. This fuel-efficient setup, paired with real-time collaboration with air traffic control, enabled SAS to adjust the cruising altitude and flight path for further savings, cutting an additional 250 kilos of fuel and resulting in substantial emission reductions.
The sustainability efforts extended to ground operations, where optimized taxiing procedures reduced fuel consumption by over 100 kilograms compared to standard usage. An additional 32 tons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) provided 40 percent of the total fuel used on this flight, further lowering emissions and demonstrating the potential for greener long-haul flights.
While this flight demonstrated major sustainability gains, SAS acknowledges that applying these practices on all flights involves complex challenges. Restrictions on air traffic paths, limited SAF availability, and varying operational conditions can limit the consistent implementation of these methods.
However, flights like TAC serve as vital opportunities to push the boundaries of sustainable aviation and explore what is achievable Ann-Sofie Hörlin, Head of Sustainability at SAS, commented: “Achieving nearly a 20 percent reduction in CO₂ emissions is a milestone, and we’re committed to taking these insights across our operations. The Aviation Challenge has allowed us to test new approaches, collaborate with industry partners, and pave the way for a more sustainable aviation future. This is an important step on our journey to reduce our environmental footprint.”
The TAC flight reflects SAS’ dedication to sustainable innovation in air travel. Through continuous initiatives like fleet renewal, SAF integration, and optimized flight operations, SAS is trying to do its part in shaping a more environmentally responsible future for aviation.
SAS, Scandinavia’s leading airline since 1946, operates from its principal hub at Copenhagen Airport (CPH), complemented by hubs in Oslo (OSL) and Stockholm (ARN).
Our mission is to connect Scandinavia with the world and the world with Scandinavia. Each year, SAS serves more than 25 million passengers and transports 60 000 tons of cargo to 135 destinations across Europe, the USA, and Asia. With a passionate workforce of over 10,000 colleagues, we collaborate with partners and customers to drive transformative changes in aviation. We are committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, embodying the visionary spirit of our founders: “To move from the old to what is about to come, is the only tradition worth keeping”. Innovation and societal progress are at the heart of everything we do. SAS joined SkyTeam in September 2024 and together with our partner airlines we offer a wide network worldwide.
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Featured image credited to SAS
