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American Airlines flies first commercial passenger flight on Infinium eSAF
American Airlines and Infinium have delivered electro sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF) to a commercial airport for use in a passenger flight for the first time, marking a milestone in the deployment of next-generation, lower-carbon aviation fuels.
The eSAF powered an American flight from Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP) to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), demonstrating that the fuel can be used within existing aircraft and aviation fueling infrastructure.
The flight also marked the first delivery in the US of sustainable aviation fuel produced without biobased feedstocks to a commercial airport.
eSAF made from waste CO₂ and renewable power:
The fuel came from a batch produced and blended at Infinium’s Pathfinder facility in Corpus Christi, Texas, the world’s first commercial-scale power-to-liquids eFuels production site, which has operated since 2023.
The eSAF was blended with conventional jet fuel and tested to meet the ASTM International specification for Jet A, allowing it to be used in existing aircraft engines and fueling infrastructure without modifications.
The fuel was then delivered to CRP’s common jet fuel tanks before being allocated to American’s flight to DFW.
Infinium produces its eSAF using waste carbon dioxide (CO₂) and renewable electricity. The company said the fuel can cut lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by more than 90% compared with conventional petroleum-based jet fuel.
“Since 2023, we have been producing scalable, drop-in eDiesel and eNaphtha at our Pathfinder facility from waste carbon and renewable energy for use in commercial trucks and plastics processing,” said Infinium CEO Robert Schuetzle.
“Adding eSAF to our product slate — and seeing it power a commercial passenger flight — marks another meaningful step forward in bringing practical, low-carbon fuel solutions to industry,” he added.
American targets eSAF scale-up:
American Airlines has been working across the aviation value chain to accelerate the deployment of sustainable aviation fuels and has an offtake agreement with Infinium for commercial volumes of eSAF from Project Roadrunner.
The project is supported by a separate agreement with Citi aimed at enabling Scope 3 emissions reductions from employee travel.
Project Roadrunner, financed by Breakthrough Energy Catalyst and Brookfield Asset Management, with nonrecourse project debt from HSBC, is under construction and is expected to begin producing and delivering eSAF in 2027.
At full capacity, the project is expected to produce more than 5 million gallons of eSAF annually.
“This flight represents a significant moment for aviation,” said American Airlines CEO Robert Isom.
“Through our partnership with Infinium, we’re demonstrating how next generation technologies like eSAF can move from early investment to real-world application,” he added.
“Scaling SAF production at lower prices is essential to reducing emissions, strengthening our long-term competitiveness, and continuing to deliver the connectivity and economic benefits that our customers rely on,” Isom said.
SAF still accounts for less than 1% of jet fuel:
The aviation sector consumes nearly 100 billion gallons of jet fuel annually, while global air travel exceeds 4 billion passengers a year. Sustainable aviation fuel currently accounts for less than 1% of global jet fuel consumption.
Scalable, drop-in fuels such as eSAF are seen as a near-term option for reducing aviation emissions while diversifying fuel supplies and strengthening energy security.
“This first-of-its-kind eSAF flight from American Airlines and Infinium is an important step for lower carbon aviation and we are proud to support this effort with our long-time partner,” said Citi Head of Enterprise Services and Public Affairs Edward Skyler.
“Given the potential SAF has on reducing emissions, we look forward to efforts to scale its production,” he added.
Texas project highlights local energy ambitions:
The milestone also drew attention from US Congressman Vicente Gonzalez, who said the project demonstrates South Texas’ continued role in energy innovation.
“South Texas has long been an energy leader, and today’s sustainable aviation fuel announcement shows how our region continues to innovate,” Gonzalez said.
“The work Infinium and American are doing in Corpus Christi strengthens our local economy while advancing our nation’s energy security,” he added.
“We need to continue investing in domestic energy production to help create American jobs and reduce our reliance on foreign energy sources,” Gonzalez said.
The commercial flight marks a shift from testing and investment toward the deployment of eSAF within existing aviation fuel infrastructure, providing a potential pathway for scaling lower-carbon alternatives to conventional jet fuel.
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