747's Biofuel-Powered Transatlantic Flight

Boeing's Everett-built 747-8 will be powered by a blend of 15% camelina-based biofuel mixed with 85% traditional kerosene (Jet-A) fuel. The historic 5,000-mile flight will be piloted by Boeing Captains Keith Otsuka and Rick Braun and Cargolux Captain Sten Rossby.

The plane is expected to land at Le Bourget Airport, site of the Paris Air Show, on Monday at 5 p.m. Paris time.

The camelina used in the plane’s fuel was grown in Montana, Boeing said. The company said it didn’t have to make any changes to the plane’s GE GEnx-2B engines to accommodate the biofuel.

“This historic flight is a boost to aviation’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve efficiency in all phases of our industry,” said Elizabeth Lund, 747-8 vice president and general manager, in a statement.

After the Paris Air Show ends on June 22, the plane will fly to the Luxembourg headquarters of Cargolux, a freight delivery airline. Boeing said it will deliver its first 747-8 freighter to Cargolux sometime this summer.