Why support the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel?

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is the generic term for all aviation fuels that are produced without the use of fossil fuels such as crude oil or natural gas. SAF is a decisive technological key for more sustainable flying and essential for the energy transition in aviation and can be fed into regular flight operations without infrastructure adjustments.

Compared to fossil fuels, SAF, which is used by the Lufthansa Group, reduces CO2 emissions by at least 80%. To reduce your calculated flight-related CO2 emissions, we calculate your respective fuel consumption based on your chosen flight and ensure that exactly this amount of SAF is used on future Lufthansa Group flights - at the latest 6 months after your individual flight.

Why does SAF reduce CO₂ emissions by at least 80%?

Sustainable Aviation Fuel is produced in a resource-saving process. There are various manufacturing processes and different feedstocks are available as energy carriers. The current generation of SAF used by the Lufthansa Group is mainly produced from biogenic residues, such as used cooking oils and waste fats. 

The special thing about is that although the combustion of SAF and fossil fuel produces identical amounts of CO2, the use of SAF creates a CO2 cycle: Biogenic residues (e.g. used cooking oils) that have previously removed CO2 from the atmosphere are used as a feedstock for production. When SAF is burned, therefore, only as much CO2 is emitted as was previously removed from the atmosphere by the feedstock materials. As CO2 is currently still produced during the manufacturing and delivery process of SAF, SAF does not reduce CO2 emissions by 100% over the entire supply chain compared to fossil fuel, but by at least 80%.

Why is SAF not yet used on all flights?

SAF is currently around three to five times more expensive than fossil aviation fuels and is not yet available in sufficient quantities worldwide to use SAF on all flights. 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 industrialised and scaled up production becomes, the more the price will decrease in the foreseeable future.

Climate protection projects

The portfolio includes high-value climate protection projects that promote measurable climate protection and ensure greater sustainability around the world.

To Climate Protection Projects
Corporate Responsability

Sustainable Choices

We offer you various options to make your flight more sustainable by using SAF and by contributing to high-quality climate protection projects.

To Sustainable Choices
At least 80% less CO₂ emissions.

How does Lufthansa Group determine the SAF price-premium?

For each flight, the Lufthansa Group determines the surcharge for replacing fossil kerosene with SAF. 

We do this by calculating the amount of CO₂ per person using an algorithm based on booking class and aircraft type. Customers can contribute to a high-quality climate project portfolio by choosing to use SAF for their calculated amount of CO₂. The SAF surcharge for customers is primarily based on standard market procurement costs.

The SAF you purchase is acquired by the Lufthansa Group in addition to our existing mandatory EU SAF quotas. It is then integrated into our flight operations within six months of your flight.

We guarantee a greenhouse gas reduction of at least 80% over the course of the entire year. The renewable part of the product is produced sustainably and ethically, using effective agricultural and industrial methods that comply with all applicable labour laws and rights, including, but not limited to, ILO Conventions 138, 182, and 105. Both the product and its raw materials comply with applicable European law, particularly the latest Renewable Energy Directive.SAF used by the Lufthansa Group is produced from raw materials that comply with the Renewable Energy Directive (2018/2001/EU Article 30), also known as "RED II." For example, all SAF used on Lufthansa flights is certified under systems such as ISCC or RSB. Both the product and its raw materials comply with applicable European law, particularly the latest Renewable Energy Directive.