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Milestone flight demonstrates real-world deployment of
ultra-low carbon electrofuels produced at Project Pathfinder from waste CO₂ and
renewable energy.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — American Airlines and Infinium
today announced its first delivery of electro sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF)
to a commercial airport for use in a commercial passenger flight, marking a
major milestone in the decarbonization of aviation. The eSAF was allocated to
an American flight that departed Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP) and
landed at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), demonstrating the
real-world deployment of next-generation, drop-in sustainable aviation
fuel.
The eSAF used for the flight was part of 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 been
operating since 2023. The eSAF batch was blended with conventional jet fuel and
tested to meet the ASTM International specification for JetA, certifying its
use in today’s aircraft engines and fueling infrastructure without further
modification. It was then delivered to the common jet fuel tanks at CRP before
being allocated to American’s flight to DFW — the first delivery of SAF made
without biobased feedstocks to a commercial airport in the U.S. The flight
demonstrates the compatibility of eSAF with existing aviation jet fuel supply
chains.
Infinium’s eSAF is made using waste CO₂ and renewable electricity,
delivering a meaningful reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
compared to conventional jet fuel. Infinium’s eSAF can reduce lifecycle GHG
emissions by over 90% compared to 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.”
American Airlines, a leader in advancing sustainable aviation fuel adoption,
is working across the value chain to accelerate deployment of low-carbon
aviation solutions. The airline has an offtake agreement for commercial volumes
of eSAF from Infinium’s Project Roadrunner, supported in part by a separate
agreement with Citi to enable Scope 3 emissions reductions from employee
travel. These partnerships reinforce the collaboration needed to scale
next-generation fuels. Project Roadrunner, financed by Breakthrough Energy
Catalyst and Brookfield Asset Management, with nonrecourse project debt from
HSBC, is currently under construction and expected to begin eSAF production and
deliveries in 2027. Once it reaches full capacity, Project Roadrunner is
expected to produce over 5 million gallons of eSAF annually.
"This flight represents a significant moment for aviation," said American’s
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. 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."
Aviation currently consumes nearly 100 billion gallons of jet fuel annually,
with global air travel exceeding 4 billion passengers per year. Despite growing
momentum, sustainable aviation fuel accounts for less than 1% of total jet fuel
use worldwide. Scalable, drop-in fuels like eSAF offer one of the most
near-term and practical solutions for reducing aviation emissions. Scaling eSAF
also strengthens energy security by diversifying aviation fuel supply, helping
create a more resilient system.
“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.”
Today’s flight marks a transition from innovation to implementation,
signaling a new phase in scaling viable, low-carbon alternatives to
conventional jet fuel and advancing the future of sustainable flight.
"South Texas has long been an energy leader, and today's
sustainable aviation fuel announcement shows how our region continues
to innovate," said Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX 34). "The work Infinium and
American are doing in Corpus Christi strengthens our local economy while
advancing our nation's energy security. We need to continue investing in
domestic energy production to help create American jobs and reduce our reliance
on foreign energy sources."
About American Airlines Group (NASDAQ: AAL)
American Airlines is a premium global airline connecting more of the U.S. to
the world. With roots tracing back to an air mail carrier in the Midwestern
United States in 1926, American now operates more than 6,000 daily flights to
more than 350 destinations in more than 60 countries and serves more than 200
million customers annually. Powered by a proud and talented team of 130,000
aviation professionals, American’s team lives out the airline’s purpose of
caring for people on life’s journey every day.
The world’s largest airline proudly celebrates its centennial year in 2026,
reaching a milestone that reflects a century of innovation and the Forever
Forward℠ spirit that changed the industry and the world. American introduced
the first scheduled air cargo service, the first airport lounge and the first
airline loyalty program and continues to reinvent the customer experience
today. The airline is also a founding member of the oneworld
alliance, whose members serve more than 900 destinations around the globe.
Get the latest about American at news.aa.com and @AmericanAir.
About Infinium
Infinium is reimagining how the world powers, moves, and computes. Through
Infinium Energy™, the company transforms waste carbon into ultra-low
carbon eFuels that decarbonize aviation, industry, and transport. Through
Infinium Edge™, Infinium advances next-generation thermal
infrastructure for data centers, removing heat as a constraint to enable more
efficient, high-performance computing. Grounded in deep chemistry and energy
systems expertise, Infinium’s platforms turn carbon and heat from limits into
opportunities. Learn more at https://www.infiniumco.com/.