What is sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)?

SAF is the generic term for all aviation fuels that are produced without the use of fossil raw materials such as crude oil or natural gas. SAF is an important technological key for more sustainable flying and essential for the energy turnaround in aviation. Various manufacturing processes exist and different feedstocks are available as energy sources. The current generation of SAF used by the Lufthansa Group is produced mainly from biogenic residues, for example from used cooking oils and waste fats.

Have you already made a booking and would like to offset emissions caused by your flight?

To help reduce and offset the carbon emissions associated with flying, you can book our new PlanetBlu options easily via our website at a later time. Simply log in with your user account or booking code and select your preferred option during the last step (on the payment page). Find out more about our PlanetBlu options here .

How can I make my flight more sustainable?

We offer you three effective ways to travel more sustainably with us: reduction, offsetting and neutralisation. The choice of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) reduces the additional emissions. Pure offsetting supports climate protection projects by 100%. With neutralisation, you choose a mixture of offsetting and reduction. You can opt for our sustainability options either while booking your flight or at any time after booking. Here is how it works: Do you want to offset during the booking process? Simply choose one of our three sustainability options. The more sustainable aviation fuel is used, the less CO 2 will be produced and the more sustainably you will fly: PlanetBlu Light: 95% compensation + 5% reduction (95% climate protection projects + 5% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)) PlanetBlu Plus: 90% compensation + 10% reduction (90% climate protection projects + 10% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)) PlanetBlu Pro: 50% compensation + 50% reduction (50% climate protection projects + 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF))

Why is aviation fuel produced from biogenic residues sustainable?

Although the combustion of SAF and fossil kerosene produces identical amounts of CO 2 , the use of SAF creates a CO 2 cycle: Biogenic residues (e.g. used cooking oil) are used for production, which have previously extracted CO 2 from the atmosphere. Consequently, when SAF is burned, only as much CO 2 is emitted as was previously removed from the atmosphere by the starting materials. Since CO 2 is currently still generated in the manufacturing and supply process of SAF, SAF reduces CO 2 emissions by approximately 80% rather than 100% when compared to fossil kerosene over the entire lifecycle. In order to completely neutralize the CO 2 emissions of an individual flight, a correspondingly higher proportion of SAF is therefore fed into the flight operation by Lufthansa Group, so that the remaining CO 2 emissions are also neutralized/offset.

Which SAF is the Lufthansa Group currently using?

The SAF currently used by the Lufthansa Group is produced in the HEFA process (Hydroprocessed Esters & Fatty Acids) from biogenic residues such as used cooking oils. This SAF is produced from raw materials in accordance with the Renewable Energy Directive (2018/2001/EU Article 30) "RED II". All SAF used are certified according to the ISCC or RSB system with a greenhouse gas reduction of at least 80 percent. The SAF used by the Lufthansa Group complies with applicable European law, in particular the Renewable Energy Directive.

What role does SAF play in making aviation more sustainable?

SAF plays a central role in achieving the goal of CO 2 -neutral aviation by 2050. The Lufthansa Group has been involved in SAF research for many years and is driving forward the introduction of sustainable next-generation aviation fuels. Special focus is placed on the future-oriented Power-to-Liquid (PtL) and Sun-to-Liquid (StL) technologies, which use regeneratively generated electricity or solar heat as energy sources.

From where does the Lufthansa Group obtain the SAF it uses?

The Lufthansa Group procures SAF via established suppliers from Europe, such as from NESTE or OMV at the Schwechat site. SAF is purchased by the Lufthansa Groupʼs fuel department, blended with fossil kerosene by the supplier, and then transported to the Lufthansa Group hubs, especially in Frankfurt. The maximum blending rate of SAF permitted under the fuel specification is currently 50 percent. A passenger flight fueled 100 percent with SAF is currently not yet possible for regulatory reasons.

Can passengers reduce the CO2 emissions of their individual air travel with SAF?

Yes, Lufthansa Group passengers can already reduce the CO 2 emissions of their individual air travel with SAF by calculation. This option can be selected and purchased directly when booking. In addition, the Green Fares offer a new fare option with a fixed SAF share on European flights (the Green Fares are offered by Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, SWISS, Edelweiss, Eurowings Discover and Air Dolomiti). When a passenger books an SAF option, the Lufthansa Group purchases the amount of SAF required for the individual CO 2 reduction and feeds it into flight operations at one of its locations within six months.

If a passenger purchases SAF, will it be used on the flight they booked?

No, it cannot be guaranteed that the passengerʼs specific aircraft will be fueled with SAF. The SAF is purchased centrally by the fuel department of the Lufthansa Group, mixed with fossil kerosene by the supplier and then transported to various airports (including Vienna Airport) for use. As aircraft are then fueled with SAF, the CO 2 reduction is realized. Lufthansa Group guarantees that the SAF will be put into Lufthansa Group flight operations within six months of acquisition.

How is the SAF surcharge calculated?

Lufthansa Group calculates the surcharge incurred for replacing fossil kerosene with SAF for an individual flight. Example: For a flight from Brussels to Copenhagen, approximately 94 kg of CO 2 per person are emitted, depending on booking class and aircraft type. This amount can either be offset by supporting climate projects or reduced by using SAF. When using SAF, passengers only pay the difference between the regular kerosene price and the SAF price. Lufthansa Group guarantees that the SAF will be put into Lufthansa Group flight operations within six months of acquisition.

How much SAF is currently available on the global market?

The amount of SAF available globally is still extremely small; currently, only around 0.1 percent (=240,000 tons) of the fuel required worldwide is of non-fossil origin. This is currently not yet sufficient to use large quantities in flight operations. The Lufthansa Group used around 13,000 tons of SAF in 2022. This was approximately 0.2 percent of the Lufthansa Group’s fuel requirements and about 5 percent of the SAF available worldwide. In the coming years, the Lufthansa Group intends to successively increase this amount. The Lufthansa Group is already ensuring that customer demand for SAF can be met.

How expensive is SAF compared to fossil kerosene and what price development can be expected in the coming years?

The price of SAF depends on the technology and the oil price development. Currently, the market price for existing SAF from biogenic residues is three to five times higher than the price for fossil kerosene. Next-generation SAF is currently still up to ten times more expensive than fossil kerosene. The Lufthansa Group is involved in numerous projects to ensure that sustainable aviation fuels become available in larger quantities as quickly as possible. The more the production becomes industrialized, the more the price is likely to decrease.

What are electricity-based aviation fuels?

Electricity-based fuels, so-called Power-to-Liquid Fuels (PtL) or "eFuels", also belong to the category of sustainable aviation fuels. In this next generation SAF, regeneratively generated electricity, water and CO₂ (from the atmosphere) are used to create a synthetic crude oil that can be processed into kerosene. PtL aviation fuels are currently still in the development stage towards industrial production, but are considered an important step towards CO 2 -neutral flying in the long term.

And what exactly is sun-to-liquid technology?

Sun-to-liquid (StL) technology uses high-temperature solar heat, water and CO 2 (from the atmosphere) to produce a synthesis gas from which liquid fuel such as kerosene can be manufactured in standard industrial processes. Such StL fuel closes the CO 2 cycle, since when it is combusted it releases only as much CO 2 as was previously used to produce it. The Lufthansa Group is driving forward the development of this technology and is cooperating here with the Swiss solar fuel pioneer Synhelion.

Flying more sustainably

Find out how you can make your flight more sustainable at any time

Active climate protection is important to us. We are taking many effective steps to keep our CO₂ footprint as small as possible. The use of sustainable aviation fuel (abbr. SAF), the implementation of newer and more modern airplanes, and our contribution to climate protection projects are part of this. All of these steps help prevent, reduce, and compensate for CO₂ emissions. The advancement and expansion of these measures are firm components in our corporate strategy. They are our number one priority.

You, too, can make a difference by taking responsibility with us and getting active. We offer you flexible options to offset the CO₂ emissions of your flight quickly and simply. Until now, airplanes have used a CO₂-producing fossil fuel to fly: conventional kerosene. The CO₂ emissions of the aviation fuel used can be offset in two ways.

Flying more sustainably - here's how it works:

Reduction of CO2 through the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is the first real alternative to fossil aviation fuel. Through an innovative manufacturing process, carbon from existing sustainable biomass or gases is reused and converted into fuel. Only waste from forestry and agriculture, as well as used cooking oils, are used for this process. This replaces conventional fossil fuels that are refined from crude oil. Compared to kerosene, SAF reduces CO₂ emissions by at least 80%.

To reduce your flight-related additional CO₂ emissions with SAF, we calculate them and ensure that your valuable contribution to sustainable aviation fuel is used for future flights, should you decide to reduce additional CO₂ emissions.

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CO2 compensation through the support of climate protection projects

In collaboration with our experienced partners myclimate, SQUAKE and ClimatePartner, we offer you the opportunity to offset the CO₂ emissions of your flight by supporting high-quality climate protection projects. We ensure that all supported climate protection projects are certified according to the highest available standards, such as ‘The Gold Standard‘*.

All of the climate protection programmes from these three companies – for example, the renaturation of Königsmoor in Schleswig-Holstein – represent an effective means of compensation. For example, projects dedicated to conserving or restoring natural areas help remove CO₂ from the atmosphere and store it in vegetation. This offsets the CO₂ emissions caused by flying. In addition, such projects promote the health and well-being of local populations and contribute to other global sustainability goals that we are committed to.

_{*Non-commercial certification organisation recommended by the German Federal Environmental Agency}

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Frequently asked questions

Other offers for more sustainable travel with Eurowings:

Departing from waste

Bring a reusable cup on board for a 20% discount on hot drinks. This offer applies to 0.2 litre hot drinks (coffee/tea). Please bring a reusable cup with a resealable lid.

More Information about on-board service

Do good with SHARE water

We serve water by SHARE on our flights. The water comes in 100% recyclable bottles, and proceeds go to humanitarian aid projects by renowned charities, such as building wells.

More information about SHARE