United Airlines is now including Newark Liberty international Airport in its efforts to become the most sustainable carrier in the country.
The airline, as part of a continuing partnership with Finnish-based Neste, is now using sustainable aviation fuel (or SAF) on some flights out of Newark. The practice began in September.
Here’s how it works:
- Neste, which makes its North American headquarters in Houston, ships its Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel from Houston to Newark by pipeline.
- The sustainable aviation fuel is then blended with conventional jet fuel to meet jet fuel specifications.
- The fuel is then integrated into the larger fuel supply and used on planes.
Because the SAF is part of the greater fuel supply, it’s impossible to determine how many flights each week are using the blend in some way.
This much is clear: The airline used 13 million gallons of the product last year, when it started being used in Chicago. Airports in Houston and Northern Virginia are also now using the blend.
What is SAF?
Sustainable aviation fuel is a renewable aviation fuel that provides an alternative to conventional, fossil-based jet fuel. Neste officials say greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by up to 80% over the fuel’s life cycle compared to using conventional jet fuel.
Neste’s SAF is made from 100% renewable raw materials, such as used cooking oil and animal fat waste. SAF is certified for commercial use and can currently be blended up to 50% with conventional jet fuel and works seamlessly with existing aircraft engines and fueling infrastructure.
Neste began the SAF deliveries in July to George Bush Airport in Houston, where it will be used until the end of October 2025. Deliveries of SAF to Newark and Dulles Airport started in September 2025 and are set to continue until the end of 2025.
United Chief Sustainability Officer Lauren Riley has been pleased with the progress.
“Introducing sustainable aviation fuel for the first time at our hubs in Houston, Newark, and Dulles is another significant milestone in United’s sustainability journey,” she said. “While United remains the leading SAF user in the U.S., using over 4,300 metric tons (13 million gallons) last year, we recognize that the growth of the SAF market requires support from both state and federal governments.
“We will continue collaborating with stakeholders, like Neste, across the aviation value chain to encourage policymakers to implement sensible market incentives that promote lower-carbon energy.”
Carl Nyberg, SVP of commercial and renewable products at Neste, agreed.
“We are thrilled to enable United Airlines to expand SAF use to new markets in the United States,” he said. “It is crucial that more states enact proven incentive policy frameworks to accelerate the production of SAF and support the aviation industry towards its bold net-zero carbon emission goal by 2050.
“We remain fully committed to supporting our customers in reducing emissions by scaling our SAF production and supply capabilities.”
This new agreement builds on the long-term partnership between Neste and United. Neste has been supplying SAF to United in Chicago since August 2024, after the SAF purchase credit was enacted in Illinois, making United the first airline to use SAF at the airport.
Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel has also been used by the airline in San Francisco, where the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard is supporting the use of renewable fuels.
