Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a substitute for fossil-based kerosene. SAF offers the same level of safety as kerosene and can be blended with it without requiring modifications to aircraft or engines. SAF is produced from non-fossil resources such as used oils or agricultural waste.

SAF significantly reduces CO₂ emissions across its entire life cycle, from production to combustion, compared to traditional fossil-based kerosene. Although SAF releases the same amount of CO₂ as kerosene during flight, the overall reduction in emissions comes from how they are produced.

How do we measure the carbon footprint of SAF?

How does Air France select the SAF it purchases?

SAF produced and used in the European Union must meet the sustainability criteria set by European regulations, the most rigorous in the world. These regulations require that SAF production does not compete with food chains — either human or animal — and that they are not made from palm oil.

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Air France takes it one step further by applying these sustainability criteria to all the SAF it selects, including SAF outside of Europe, relying on certification from internationally recognized organizations such as ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) and the RSB (Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials).

European regulations also require a minimum 65% reduction in CO2 emissions over the SAF's life cycle compared to kerosene.

SAF: a determining factor for the decarbonization of air travel

However, SAF production remains very limited, accounting for only 0.3% of global aviation fuel production in 2023. To encourage increased production, Air France is committed to using as much SAF as possible from today.

The aviation fuel used on flights departing from France already incorporates a mandatory SAF component. In 2025, fuel suppliers’ deliveries to European airports must contain at least 2% SAF. SAF is blended with kerosene, injected into the airport fuel supply systems, and used to power aircraft without distinction.

Is a SAF contribution included in your ticket?

A SAF contribution is included in the price of all our flights. The amount of this fee is included in your ticket price breakdown, on the line "Contribution to Sustainable aviation fuel".

To go even further and purchase more SAF, Air France also offers customers the option to make a voluntary contribution during the booking process. Each contributed euro will be entirely allocated to the purchase of SAF. If you are a Flying Blue member, you can use your Miles to contribute to the purchase of SAF and gain XP as a result.

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Contribute to the purchase of sustainable aviation fuel Support our investments in SAF and earn XP.
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Air France goals

We aim to incorporate at least 10% of SAF globally by 2030, far exceeding European regulations within this timeframe.

Thank you for your commitment!

Thanks to your contributions and those of our corporate clients, we used 36,618 tonnes of SAF in 2023, reducing CO₂ emissions by over 100,000 tonnes—the equivalent of 331 round trips between Paris and New York.