United Airlines Invests in Direct Air Capture Technology to Advance Sustainable Aviation

In a significant step towards achieving its sustainability goals, United Airlines Holdings Inc. announced on February 25, 2025, that the United Sustainable Flight Fund (UAV) has made a strategic investment in Heirloom, a pioneering company in direct air capture (DAC) technology. This investment aims to enhance United’s portfolio of decarbonization strategies and is part of its broader commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

The UAV Sustainable Flight Fund's investment in Heirloom includes an agreement allowing United to purchase up to 500,000 tons of carbon dioxide removal (CDR). This CDR will be utilized in the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) or permanently stored underground, marking a dual approach to carbon reduction in the aviation sector.

Andrew Chang, head of United Airlines Ventures, emphasized the importance of carbon capture technology in the energy landscape. "Carbon capture is one of our country's fastest-growing, energy-enabling pathways," Chang stated. He highlighted that Heirloom’s technology not only aligns with United's decarbonization objectives but also promises a scalable and commercially viable solution to address the pressing issue of carbon emissions in aviation.

Heirloom's DAC technology is noteworthy for its ability to harness the natural power of limestone to capture CO2 directly from the atmosphere. This method positions Heirloom as a leader in the DAC sector, potentially offering one of the most cost-effective solutions for carbon removal. Shashank Samala, CEO of Heirloom, expressed pride in partnering with United, stating that the collaboration is set to significantly advance the deployment of DAC technology to mitigate aviation fuel emissions and tackle residual emissions effectively.

This investment marks United's third foray into carbon capture technologies, but it is the first focused specifically on direct air capture. DAC is distinct from point source capture, which targets emissions from specific sources like power plants. Instead, DAC provides a more comprehensive approach by removing CO2 from the atmosphere itself, thus addressing one of the most challenging aspects of climate change.

The UAV Sustainable Flight Fund is a pioneering investment vehicle aimed at fostering cross-industry collaboration to support startups that focus on decarbonizing air travel. With over $200 million in commitments from United and various corporate partners—including major players like Air Canada, Boeing, and Google—the fund seeks to catalyze innovation in sustainable aviation.

Founded in 2020, Heirloom has quickly risen to prominence within the DAC industry. The company operates North America's first commercial DAC facility located in Tracy, California, and is actively engaged in Project Cypress—a Department of Energy-supported initiative that is set to bring large-scale carbon removal to Louisiana and create nearly 1,000 new jobs.

United Airlines' investment in Heirloom underscores the airline's proactive approach to sustainability and carbon reduction in the aviation sector. As the company continues to explore innovative solutions to combat climate change, this partnership with Heirloom is poised to play a crucial role in helping United achieve its ambitious goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. The future of sustainable air travel looks promising as industry leaders like United commit to investing in technologies that pave the way for a greener aviation landscape.