China Airlines Soars with 40% SAF on Amsterdam Route, Debuting Lightweight Business Class Tableware and Marc Jacobs Amenities

In support of SkyTeam’s 5th “The Aviation Challenge” (TAC), China Airlines operated flight CI073 between Taipei and Amsterdam on September 13, 2026, as its official demonstration flight, setting a new record by utilizing a 40% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend.

Under the theme “Collective Momentum,” the carrier once again partnered with CTBC Bank to introduce 36.3 metric tons of SAF through the “Book & Claim” accounting model. Simultaneously, China Airlines is rolling out an eco-luxury passenger experience on long-haul routes, featuring new Premium Business Class lightweight porcelain tableware that cuts weight by 27%, plant-based culinary creations from Michelin Green Star restaurant “Little Tree Food,” and exclusive Marc Jacobs amenity kits paired with Danish clean skincare brand FRAMA.

1. Book (Registration)
Fuel producers inject SAF into the aviation fuel supply chain at airports equipped with proper fueling infrastructure. Once blended with conventional jet fuel, it is consumed by aircraft departing from that airport. Simultaneously, the fuel’s “environmental attributes” are decoupled from the physical liquid: the physical fuel is treated as standard jet fuel, while the environmental attributes are registered in credible registries (such as RSB, ISCC, or SABA) and converted into tradable digital SAF Certificates (SAFc).

2. Claim (Attribution)
Enterprises or airlines worldwide can purchase and retire these certificates to directly claim emission reductions in their carbon accounting. Airlines utilize SAFcA to claim Scope 1 reductions (which can also fulfill CORSIA offset obligations), while corporate cargo and business travel clients claim SAFcE for Scope 3 emissions. Even if their actual flights burn conventional jet fuel, the carbon reduction remains valid because verified SAF has physically replaced fossil fuel within the broader aviation sector.

3. How It Differs from Traditional Carbon Offsets
SAF certificates are not carbon offsets. While offsets rely on external projects outside the aviation industry to compensate for ongoing emissions, SAF certificates represent real, in-sector reductions within aviation that directly lower reported emissions. Consequently, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) recognizes SAF certificates for Scope 3 targets, whereas standard carbon offsets are not eligible. Furthermore, SAF used to comply with mandatory mandates (such as ReFuelEU) cannot be sold on the voluntary market, preventing double counting.

Amsterdam Demonstration Flight Adopts 40% SAF Blend; 36.3 Metric Tons Procured with CTBC Bank

Since joining SkyTeam’s Aviation Challenge in 2022, China Airlines has completed eight demonstration flights, reducing over 600 metric tons of carbon emissions in total. This year marks the carrier’s first expansion of the challenge to an intercontinental long-haul route, as well as its second partnership with co-branded card issuer CTBC Bank. Building upon their 2024 regional flight using a 20% SAF blend, the two partners raised the bar this year, utilizing the Book & Claim model to achieve a 40% SAF blend with a total volume of 36.3 metric tons.

China Airlines President Han-Ming Chen stated that Sustainable Aviation Fuel is pivotal to the airline industry’s net-zero transition. China Airlines is committed to expanding SAF applications across Europe, the Americas, and Asia starting in 2025. By embedding sustainability into flight operations and customer touchpoints, the airline collaborates with corporate partners, supply chain networks, and passengers to turn every flight into a driving force for industry decarbonization and the 2050 net-zero emissions target.

Te-Feng Chen, Head of the Payment Financial Services Division at CTBC Bank—the exclusive sponsor of this SAF demonstration flight—noted that CTBC is deeply committed to sustainable finance and supporting the aviation sector’s green transition. Sponsoring this demonstration flight reflects CTBC’s ongoing dedication to climate action. Through cross-industry collaboration, CTBC aims to channel sustainable capital into high-impact green initiatives, providing robust financial backing for Taiwan’s net-zero roadmap.

Premium Business Class Unveils Lightweight Tableware, Marc Jacobs Kits, and FRAMA Amenities

Beyond aviation fuel innovations, cabin payload management and service amenities have also received an eco-friendly upgrade. Starting in September, China Airlines debuted its new Premium Business Class tableware on routes to Frankfurt, Prague, and Oceania, giving passengers on this Taipei–Amsterdam demonstration flight an exclusive preview:

• “Embrace the Mountains, Discover China Airlines” Lightweight Tableware: Made from premium lightweight porcelain with multifunctional nesting designs, the new set reduces total tableware weight by approximately 27%, lowering aircraft fuel burn. The set will progressively roll out network-wide, featuring carbonized bamboo chopsticks, 100% rPET recycled plastic covers, and FSC-certified paper materials.
• Michelin Green Star “Little Tree Food” Across All Cabins: The demonstration flight served plant-based cuisine developed with Michelin Green Star restaurant “Little Tree Food” in all cabin classes, inviting travelers to enjoy delicious, low-carbon dining.
• Marc Jacobs Amenity Kit & FRAMA Skincare: Long-haul flights now feature exclusive amenity kits co-branded with Marc Jacobs and packed with eco-conscious skincare products from Copenhagen design studio FRAMA. Cabin lavatories are also fully stocked with FRAMA collections packaged in recycled rPET bottles.
• Digital Weight-Reduction Initiatives: The airline offers digital eMenus across all cabins alongside “Dynasty Sky Reading,” a digital reading platform that eliminates heavy printed magazines and newspapers. Since its launch, Dynasty Sky Reading has helped the fleet reduce weight by over 4,300 metric tons.

Excellence in ESG and Carbon Reduction Recognized Globally and Domestically

China Airlines has long prioritized ESG performance, earning inclusion in the Taiwan Sustainability Index eight times, ranking among the Top 1% globally in S&P Global’s The Sustainability Yearbook twice, and winning the Civil Aeronautics Administration’s “Sustainable Development Award” along with Gold (Environmental) and Bronze (Social) honors at the Taiwan Sustainability Action Awards.

In SkyTeam’s Aviation Challenge, China Airlines has secured numerous prestigious accolades over the years, including the “Organizational Transformation Awards – Transformational Impact through SAF,” “Future Proofing Strategies,” “Best Inflight Supply Chain,” “Best Adopted Solution,” “Best Sustainable Innovation Cargo,” and “Best Employee Engagement.”

• Preview the New Tableware on Europe and Oceania Routes: The 27% lighter “Embrace the Mountains, Discover China Airlines” Premium Business Class tableware is now available on flights to Frankfurt, Prague, Oceania, and select Amsterdam services, offering travelers a firsthand look at sustainable luxury dining.
• Exclusive Long-Haul Amenity Kits: The newly launched Marc Jacobs co-branded amenity kits containing Danish fragrance and skincare brand FRAMA products are offered exclusively to long-haul Premium Business Class guests.
• Go Paperless Before Takeoff: Travelers are encouraged to preview seasonal menus via the China Airlines App and download international newspapers and magazines through “Dynasty Sky Reading” prior to departure to support a paperless travel experience.

Key Specifications and Operational Data

China Airlines SkyTeam TAC Demonstration Flight Specifications

Low-Carbon Inflight Services & Amenity Specifications

The original text of this article is in Chinese, translated and edited into English by AI.
本文の原文は中国語であり、AIによって日本語に翻訳・編集されています。