The Mile High Club

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SAFs vs. Hydrogen: The Sustainable Aviation Showdown

There are two main contenders in the future of sustainable aviation: Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAFs), and Hydrogen Fuel - each brings attributes to the table, and both will likely play a part in the transition, but it’s worth figuring out what each does.

SAFs, made from used cooking oil, plants, and other waste, are basically the recycle warriors of aviation. They promise rapid decarbonisation by stepping into the shoes of traditional kerosene-based fuels, just like swapping an SUV for a Tesla - instant and a (relatively) easy way to cut emissions.

Hydrogen Fuel, on the other hand, is the futurist's dream - splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, and then using that hydrogen to power an aircraft. I don’t wanna say it’s like magic, but it’s deep science and who am I to say there’s a difference between the two.

But like any showdown, there's no clean knockout. SAFs, while renewable, are currently a tiny fraction of aviation fuel use and cost more than double their fossil fuel counterparts. It's a bit like shopping for organic kale at Whole Foods - healthier and sustainable (also makes you feel bougie), but it hurts the wallet.

On the other hand, hydrogen planes, promising as they sound, come with a jaw-dropping €300 billion bill to set up a new supply chain from scratch - from production to distribution. It’s a huge investment, and this won’t come cheap.

Boeing and Airbus Place Their Bets

Like any game, it’s worth watching what the biggest players are doing. In the race for sustainability in Aviation, Boeing and Airbus aren't being shy about where they're placing their bets.

Boeing seems to be playing it safe. Its boss asserts that SAFs will "never achieve the price of jet fuel", indicating the company is perhaps more cautious about this biofuel dream.

Despite this uncertainty, they’ve committed to their planes being able to run on 100% SAFs by 2030 - it’s just a question of whether passengers will be willing to pay for the more expensive flights that come with this sustainable future.

On the other hand, Airbus is embracing the hydrogen future. They're gearing up to launch a zero-emissions hydrogen aircraft by 2035, suggesting they are willing to pay the hefty premium for pioneering greener skies.

Like investing in a moonshot, they're hoping the long-term returns justify the initial risks.

Whether it's SAFs or hydrogen, one thing's clear - the green revolution in the aviation industry isn't coming cheap. We're not just talking about the price of fuels or the investment in new technology, but also infrastructural modifications, taxation, and carbon pricing.

Despite the turbulence ahead, the promise of greener skies brings a much-needed breath of fresh air. It might not be a smooth flight, but we're used to a bit of rough weather, right?

See ya tomorrow,

The Strawman