How Virgin Atlantic saved 645 kg of fuel per flight with Jeppesen
Virgin Atlantic has never been shy about leading on sustainability. But one notable step forward isn’t just good for the planet—it delivers measurable, bottom-line results.
By implementing Jeppesen’s Cost Index Optimization technology using our FliteDeck Advisor app, Virgin Atlantic achieved real-world fuel savings and a substantial CO₂ reduction—without adding workload or requiring major change management.
Here’s what they did, how much they saved, and how your operations can replicate their success.
What is Cost Index Optimization?
Cost Index Optimization is a fully embedded feature in Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro and the technology behind FliteDeck Advisor that delivers real-time, tail-specific cruise speed recommendations to pilots based on current flight conditions. It factors in:
- Altitude and aircraft weight
- Outside air temperature
- Aircraft performance data
The result? Smarter cruise speeds that reduce fuel burn and emissions—without compromising arrival times or safety margins.
It requires no new hardware or connectivity for operations running on FliteDeck Pro 5.0 or later, which means minimal training and quick adoption.
Why fuel efficiency matters more than ever
Fuel still accounts for 30–40% of operating costs, and sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), while promising, are 3–5x more expensive than standard jet fuel.
Add CORSIA to the equation—with its rising offset requirements and expanding global coverage—and suddenly every kilogram of fuel saved counts twice.
Virgin Atlantic saw the opportunity and moved fast.
Virgin Atlantic’s results: Fast, measurable wins
Using Cost Index Optimization across its Boeing 787 fleet, Virgin Atlantic achieved 1.7% reduction in cruise fuel burn. That’s 645 kg of fuel saved per flight, which adds up to:
- 329 metric tons annually per aircraft
- ~$246,000 in yearly fuel savings at average jet fuel prices
- 1,900 kg CO₂ reduction per flight
- That’s not just great for ESG reporting—it’s also fewer offsets to buy under CORSIA
- Rapid ROI
The solution required no operational overhaul—pilots adapted quickly, and results were seen within just three months of rollout. This wasn’t a tech experiment. It was a business win.
Why this matters now
Traditional fuel-saving methods rely on preflight planning and generic flight profiles. That’s no longer enough.
Cost Index Optimization allows your pilots to adjust cruise speeds in-flight, in real-time, based on current tail performance—not assumptions. And it plugs seamlessly into the systems and workflows they already know.
CORSIA compliance without the headache
By reducing cruise-phase fuel burn, Virgin Atlantic also reduced its exposure to the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) requirements.
That means:
- Lower operating costs
- Fewer carbon credits to purchase
- Proof of action for regulators, investors, and passengers
With offset costs projected to rise sharply, these reductions deliver lasting value.
The competitive edge
Sustainability is no longer just a corporate talking point—it’s a customer expectation, a regulatory requirement and a key part of long-term resilience.
Cost Index Optimization helps airlines:
- Cut 1–2% of cruise-phase fuel burn
- Reduce annual operating costs
- Make measurable progress toward net-zero goals
- Stay compliant—automatically
It’s not a “nice to have.” It’s a strategic lever that future-focused airlines are already using.
Ready to put results like these to work?
Virgin Atlantic’s story proves what’s possible. Now it’s your turn.
If you’re ready to:
- Trim fuel costs without adding pilot workload
- Hit CORSIA targets without relying solely on offsets
- Equip your fleet with a proven, scalable tool
Let’s talk. Cost Index Optimization is already working. It’s time to put it to work for you.
→ Contact us now to get started or request a demo.
Virgin Atlantic has never been shy about leading on sustainability. But one notable step forward isn’t just good for the planet—it delivers measurable, bottom-line results.
By implementing Jeppesen’s Cost Index Optimization technology using our FliteDeck Advisor app, Virgin Atlantic achieved real-world fuel savings and a substantial CO₂ reduction—without adding workload or requiring major change management.
Here’s what they did, how much they saved, and how your operations can replicate their success.
What is Cost Index Optimization?
Cost Index Optimization is a fully embedded feature in Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro and the technology behind FliteDeck Advisor that delivers real-time, tail-specific cruise speed recommendations to pilots based on current flight conditions. It factors in:
- Altitude and aircraft weight
- Outside air temperature
- Aircraft performance data
The result? Smarter cruise speeds that reduce fuel burn and emissions—without compromising arrival times or safety margins.
It requires no new hardware or connectivity for operations running on FliteDeck Pro 5.0 or later, which means minimal training and quick adoption.
Why fuel efficiency matters more than ever
Fuel still accounts for 30–40% of operating costs, and sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), while promising, are 3–5x more expensive than standard jet fuel.
Add CORSIA to the equation—with its rising offset requirements and expanding global coverage—and suddenly every kilogram of fuel saved counts twice.
Virgin Atlantic saw the opportunity and moved fast.
Virgin Atlantic’s results: Fast, measurable wins
Using Cost Index Optimization across its Boeing 787 fleet, Virgin Atlantic achieved 1.7% reduction in cruise fuel burn. That’s 645 kg of fuel saved per flight, which adds up to:
- 329 metric tons annually per aircraft
- ~$246,000 in yearly fuel savings at average jet fuel prices
- 1,900 kg CO₂ reduction per flight
- That’s not just great for ESG reporting—it’s also fewer offsets to buy under CORSIA
- Rapid ROI
The solution required no operational overhaul—pilots adapted quickly, and results were seen within just three months of rollout. This wasn’t a tech experiment. It was a business win.
Why this matters now
Traditional fuel-saving methods rely on preflight planning and generic flight profiles. That’s no longer enough.
Cost Index Optimization allows your pilots to adjust cruise speeds in-flight, in real-time, based on current tail performance—not assumptions. And it plugs seamlessly into the systems and workflows they already know.
CORSIA compliance without the headache
By reducing cruise-phase fuel burn, Virgin Atlantic also reduced its exposure to the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) requirements.
That means:
- Lower operating costs
- Fewer carbon credits to purchase
- Proof of action for regulators, investors, and passengers
With offset costs projected to rise sharply, these reductions deliver lasting value.
The competitive edge
Sustainability is no longer just a corporate talking point—it’s a customer expectation, a regulatory requirement and a key part of long-term resilience.
Cost Index Optimization helps airlines:
- Cut 1–2% of cruise-phase fuel burn
- Reduce annual operating costs
- Make measurable progress toward net-zero goals
- Stay compliant—automatically
It’s not a “nice to have.” It’s a strategic lever that future-focused airlines are already using.
Ready to put results like these to work?
Virgin Atlantic’s story proves what’s possible. Now it’s your turn.
If you’re ready to:
- Trim fuel costs without adding pilot workload
- Hit CORSIA targets without relying solely on offsets
- Equip your fleet with a proven, scalable tool
Let’s talk. Cost Index Optimization is already working. It’s time to put it to work for you.