Emirates Airline, with one of the world’s youngest fleets, has trialed a new environmental programme as it executed the longest green journey.

The programme, which was analysed and reviewed on the airline’s inaugural flight from Dubai to San Francisco, represented the world’s first cross-polar green flight.

Emirates worked closely with government agencies in Dubai, Russia, Iceland, Canada and the United States and other countries to plot what is appropriately hailed as the Environment flight, the most environmentally-sophisticated route and trip possible to help save an estimated 2,000 gallons of fuel and 30,000 pounds of carbon emissions on the 16-hour non-stop service.

The inaugural green flight has demonstrated multiple fuel and emission-saving measures including:

The new 777-200LR was specially washed beforehand to minimise drag.

The aircraft used electrical power on the ground in Dubai rather than running its auxiliary power unit.

Dubai Air Traffic Control gave the aircraft priority clearance for both taxiing and departure.

Recent Emirates negotiations with the Russian government allowed for a preferred route over Russian and Canadian airspace for the most efficient path, taking into account prevailing winds and the aircraft’s weight.

Real time updates of current weather and wind conditions allowed the flight crew to modify their flight path on route.

The aircraft tracked close to the North Pole following extensive work by Emirates and aircraft manufacturers opened this new routing.

The aircraft used minimal thrust on landing and a single-engine taxi to its gate.

All on-board glass, newspapers, aluminium and paper collected for recycling.

“After months of planning, Emirates’ Environment flight was a best-practice trial of how airlines, governments, manufacturers, technology providers and airports can work together to be as eco-efficient as possible,” said HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group. The airline used the new ultra eco-efficient Boeing 777-200LR to service the San Francisco-Dubai route as part of the airline’s multi-billion dollar investment in economic and environmental efficiencies.

“Emirates is seeking to reduce the environmental impact of our operations wherever we can and the Environment inaugural flight is a perfect example of these ambitions. The development of new technologies, flight operation procedures and advanced air traffic management proves that our industry is making real gains in environmental performance,” said Sheikh Ahmed.

To ensure a more fuel-efficient route, the Environment flight utilised the revised routes within Russian airspace – this special accommodation followed negotiations and was due to the support of the Russian government. Flight EK225 departed Dubai at 8.55am on 15 December and landed in San Francisco at 1pm local time on the same day.

The Environment flight crossed near the North Pole following a long-term programme of tests and negotiations involving various governments and manufacturers. Emirates aided in the process by operating three flights over the Polar region to evaluate the route and operating conditions and ultimately facilitate use of the air space corridor, called Polar Routes.

Emirates currently operates flights from Dubai to Malta via Larnaca, Cyprus, on a daily schedule.