It’s important to choose an airline that operates a modern and efficient fleet.
Our CO2 emissions calculator lets you work out the difference in CO2 emissions between an Etihad flight compared to the average emissions of other airlines operating the same or similar route.
To get started, tell us where you're flying to.
Take a closer look at the fuel-efficient aircraft and engines we use at Etihad Airways, including our eco-friendly GEnX powered Boeing 787 and Rolls-Royce Trent XWB Airbus A350 – some of the world’s most energy-efficient aircraft. The A350’s sixth-gen engine goes further on less fuel thanks to its 15% fuel consumption advantage over the original Trent engine.
The Boeing 787, the world’s first ‘Greenliner’, is the A350’s partner in sustainability, with its newer engine boasting a 15% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to older generations.
Both planes have a range of over 15,000km, without stopping making them ideal for short and long hauls.
Learn more about sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), including how we’re working to develop and trial SAFs due to the key role they play in reducing carbon emissions for our planet.
Join us on our journey to low-carbon aviation.
The latest addition to Etihad Airways’ fleet is a driving force when it comes to energy-efficient planes. Sustainable50, which had its inaugural flight from Abu Dhabi to Paris in March 2022, leads the way in our commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Our Airbus A350s are set to cover six global cities from our hub in Abu Dhabi, including:
Developing Sustainable Aviation Fuels through test flights
Flying on our 787s
Sustainable aviation fuel – or SAF – is an alternative to the fossil fuels traditionally used by airlines. SAF can be produced from numerous sources, from recycled waste to industrial by-products, but what all SAFs have in common is that the carbon from which they are formed has much shorter lifecycles than that of fossil fuels.
SAF has a similar chemical build to conventional jet fuel, which is why it has earned the name “Synthetic Kerosene” (SK). This also means it can be used up to approved blend levels to power our engines without having to alter the current fuelling systems or procedures. We continue to work with manufacturers and fuel providers to increase the quantities of SAF that can be used with current engine technology, helping the industry move forward and adopt SAF in ever increasing volumes.
The global aviation industry uses approximately 278 billion litres of jet fuel annually[1], so switching to a more sustainable jet fuel alternative can have a hugely positive impact on our planet.
Here are some of the other key reasons we use sustainable aviation fuel in our aircrafts:
We use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in our aircrafts as it can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 80% over its lifecycle, compared to conventional jet fuel[2]. As part of our sustainability commitment, we lead the way by testing using SAF. SAF does however present challenges. It’s currently much more expensive than using traditional jet fuel. And availability can be an issue – as a global carrier, Etihad needs to be able to access SAF across the globe, and in some places it is just not available. But with changes to aviation’s supply chain, and test flights in partnership with Boeing, we aim to improve the availability of SAF and help drive down its cost to make it commercially viable.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is typically blended with regular jet fuel due to limitations of current engine technology. We’re working with manufacturers on understanding how engines can use 100% SAF through experimental flights, leading the adoption of increasing blends of SAF in regular commercial flying.
SAF can be sourced from several sustainable feedstocks, including[4]:
Non-biological alternative fuels – created using by-products of certain manufacturing processes.So, how do we turn these waste products and plants into sustainable jet fuel for our aircraft? The goal is for the CO2 released into the atmosphere during one of our sustainable flights to be equal to the amount we use at the start of the process[5].
We’re also part of the Abu Dhabi Hydrogen Alliance. Its aim is to establish Abu Dhabi as a trusted leader of green hydrogen, to help lower carbon emissions in both the UAE and wider world[6]. Etihad is currently working on using this green hydrogen – the electrolysis of water through solar energy – to produce synthetic kerosene (SK) for our SAFs.
More A350s are set to join our fleet, not only to help drive our sustainability goals but also to enhance the guest experience. The aircraft’s advanced materials and Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines result offer unrivalled operational efficiency, with a 25% reduction in fuel burn and CO2 emissions compared to previous generations of aircraft.
Inside the A350 twin-aisle cabin, discover ambient lighting, temperature controls and the highest ceiling of any aircraft in the industry.
Alongside the A350, and heading our Greenliner programme is the Boeing 787, a pioneer in sustainable flying. Its 25% reduction in fuel burn is in part thanks to its engine, but also the unique wing-design not commonly seen on commercial aircraft. These wings can flex, minimising turbulence by increasing aerial stability and resulting in less drag, increasing fuel efficiency.
The Boeing 787 offers incredible vistas from inside the cabin, with windows that are 30% bigger than on other aircraft, allowing for more natural light. Due to the electrochromic glass passengers can also adjust their window with 5 stages of colour, from dark to light.
We’ll also continue to roll out our sustainable flights programme through our testing and initiatives. Our newly launched economy flights provide an even more thoughtful experience taking advantage of our spacious fleet. But more importantly, using locally sourced, recycled materials to reduce single-use plastics onboard by up to 80%. All test flights are done in an operational environment, which means we can assess them and gather data as we hopefully head towards a full-scale commercial introduction.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Etihad Airways are committed to reducing carbon emissions in the aviation industry, with a goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2050[7]. The roll-out of SAF across commercial airlines and aircrafts plays a vital role in this long-term climate goal. Low carbon aviation fuel (LCAF) is another option, which produces greenhouse gasses with a lower life cycle. However, while SAF and LCAF are desirable and necessary, they are also expensive and difficult to procure.
Etihad Airways is leading this drive for sustainability as we continue to develop the use of sustainable aviation fuels.
