Neste and United Airlines extended their existing agreement on the supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blended with conventional jet fuel to flights departing from Chicago O’Hare International Airport in the United States and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in the Netherlands. The extension of the agreement reinforces the long-term, strategic collaboration between Neste and United, highlighting a shared ambition of contributing to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction from aviation through the deployment of SAF*.
Credit: Neste
Courtesy of United Airlines
Based on the extended contract, Neste’s SAF deliveries to United at Amsterdam began in June 2026 and continued through August 2026. Deliveries of SAF to Chicago O’Hare from this contract started in July 2026 and are planned to continue until June 2027. According to the agreement, Neste will supply Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ blended with conventional jet fuel to United Airlines.
"United was the first airline in the world to fly on blended SAF in regular operations, and we've spent the years since proving it can work at scale in day-to-day flying – including being the first airline to purchase and use blended SAF at Chicago O'Hare. Continuing our work with Neste across two continents reflects a shared conviction that SAF is available and capable of being scalable," said Lauren Riley, Chief Sustainability Officer at United Airlines.
In 2025, United used over 83,000 metric tons (roughly 27.7 million gallons) of SAF, a 104% increase over the prior year, making it the largest SAF user among major U.S. airlines that year, based on publicly available reports, and expanded its SAF use to three additional hub airports in Newark, Washington, D.C., and Houston, bringing the airline’s SAF usage to six out of its seven domestic hubs. At Chicago O’Hare specifically, United was the first airline to purchase and use blended SAF in August 2024. O’Hare is United’s largest hub by daily departures and among the airline’s most important global gateways, making it a key location for scaling the use of blended SAF in day-to-day operations.
In Amsterdam, United has been using Neste MY SAF at Schiphol Airport since 2022. United was the first airline globally to use SAF in ongoing operations. Leveraging SAF and other measures to reduce GHG emissions, United is committed to reaching its net-zero emissions by 2050 goal.
"This extended agreement with United Airlines covering two international airports across two major aviation regions is a testament to our joint belief in the critical role of SAF in reducing aviation-related GHG emissions*. By continuing to make SAF available at two of United’s key hubs, we are proving that SAF is a readily available, scalable solution, and we look forward to continuing our longstanding collaboration," says Carl Nyberg, Senior Vice President, Commercial, Renewable Products business at Neste.
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel is an alternative to fossil-based jet fuel available today that can help reduce aviation-related GHG emissions*. Neste’s SAF is made from renewable raw materials, such as used cooking oil and animal fat waste. SAF is certified for commercial use after blending up to 50% with conventional jet fuel and works seamlessly with existing aircraft engines and fueling infrastructure.
Today, Neste’s global SAF production capability is 1.5 million metric tons (around 515 million gallons) per annum, and it is set to grow to 2.2 million metric tons (around 750 million gallons) in 2027, when the expansion of Neste’s Rotterdam refinery is completed.
*) Neat, i.e. unblended, Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel fulfills the mandatory sustainability criteria, including greenhouse gas emission reduction requirements over its life cycle compared to fossil fuel in accordance with e.g. ReFuelEU, CORSIA or RFS. While SAF and fossil jet fuel release similar amounts of CO2 during flight, SAF’s life cycle climate impact is smaller than fossil jet fuel’s. SAF can currently be blended up to 50% with conventional jet fuel.