A Conversation with American Airlines Vice President of Sustainability Jill Blickstein

04/11/23 • 47 min

If you've flown on American Airlines recently, there's a chance your plane was fueled by a small amount of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Jill Blickstein, Vice President of Sustainability at American Airlines, joins the show (18:27) to talk about the latest advancements in SAF, fleet upgrades the airline has made to enhance its sustainability and an AI-enabled system called 'Smart Gating' that conserves fuel and saves time for travelers. American Airlines is undertaking numerous initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint. As Jill explains, many of those efforts come in places passengers might not notice, but certainly lead to more sustainable air travel.
Highlights from Jill Blickstein
Update on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) - (20:10)
American Airlines' goals for SAF usage - (23:56)
Using SAF to attract business travelers - (26:36)
Creating a SAF certificate for all travelers - (30:22)
The potential for zero-emission hydrogen-electric aircraft - (30:47)
Partnering with the Bill Gates-backed Breakthrough Energy Catalyst - (33:24)
Other sustainability initiatives at American Airlines - (35:10)
'Smart Gating' - (39:47)
Powering operations with renewable energy - (42:20)
Validation from the Science-Based Targets initiative - (43:02)
Other Show Segments
Sustainable or Suspicious - (1:54)
E-liability
Top Headlines from SmartBrief on Sustainability - (6:53)
Sustainable precast concrete products made with locally sourced recycled materials
Comcast boosts its energy efficiency
Electrifying roads to cure electric vehicle 'range anxiety'
Here and There - (13:04)
3 ways to make data centers more sustainable

Sign up for the SmartBrief on Sustainability newsletter

Sign up for the SmartBrief on Sustainability newsletter

Previous Episode

How To Prioritize Sustainability Solutions For Your Home

Matt Ferrell joins the show to outline various ways everyday people can embrace cost-saving strategies that also make their homes more resilient and more sustainable.
Matt is the creator of Undecided with Matt Ferrell, where he has amassed more than one million subscribers on YouTube by applying his technology-focused eye to all things sustainability. Matt is also the co-host of the Still To Be Determined podcast. He tests smart and sustainable technology solutions and often offers advice to viewers and listeners who seek advice on making decisions about which solutions are best for their home.
Matt touches on batteries, solar panels, weatherization and the future of home sustainability tech, so we think you’ll appreciate hearing what he has to say.
Segments
Sustainable or Suspicious - (1:58)
The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Top Headlines from SmartBrief on Sustainability - (13:44)
Corporate Sustainability Becomes a Team SportGreen Product Claims Face Growing Consumer ScrutinyBeavers to return to London as part of urban rewilding
Here and There - (17:05)
Efforts underway to make Ramadan more sustainable
Key highlights from Matt Ferrell
(22:08) - The most common questions from consumers
(23:12) - The Do's and Don'ts when it comes to installing solar
(27:48) - The Do's and Don'ts when it comes to installing batteries
(31:45) - How to prioritize energy efficiency needs
(34:37) - The low-hanging fruit when it comes to energy efficiency solutions
(37:12) - How the Inflation Reduction Act impacts consumers
(39:58) - The role of Community Solar
(41:14) - Exciting tech of the future: Flow batteries for homes
(43:11) - Matt's bold predictions
(44:29) - Matt's take on the future of EV charging

Sign up for the SmartBrief on Sustainability newsletter

Next Episode

Chemistry's Key Role in Advancing Sustainability

Countless items we use and consume in our everyday lives have a foundation in chemistry. Charles Franklin, the Senior Director for Energy, Climate and the Environment at the American Chemistry Council, joins the show (21:19) to discuss the role the business of chemistry plays not just in sustainability, but also the overall economy. Franklin also shares insights from a paper the ACC recently released that highights the many ways natural gas can -- and already is -- playing a crucial role in the energy transition, including in areas like wind and solar energy and electric vehicles. Franklin also explains how natural gas will play a big part in the expansion of hydrogen as an energy source.
Attend Engage’23, May 9-11 in New Orleans!
https://tinyurl.com/3e-engage2325% Discount code: ACC23
ACC Paper: Natural Gas Supports US Competitiveness and Lower GHGs
Show Segments
Sustainable or Suspicious - (2:23)
What to make of Weyerhaeuser's claims about being an environmental do-gooder
Top Headlines from SmartBrief on Sustainability - (10:45)
Starbucks expands its sustainability program to more storesDoes a carbon take-back obligation make sense?Nuclear impacts environment less than other clean energy
Here and There - (17:20)
Global Citizen Award Winner Ineza Umuhoza Grace from RwandaHighlights from Charles FranklinThe work of the American Chemistry Council - (21:19)
The role natrual gas plays in the economy - (23:54)
How natural gas helps lower emissions - (25:27)
The role of natural gas in a hydrogen future - (29:07)
The key theme's of ACC's recent paper - (32:07)
The promise and potential of hydrogen hubs - (34:30)

3E
Join us at our Engage'23 user conference in New Orleans, May 9-11, 2023
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Sign up for the SmartBrief on Sustainability newsletter

Sustainability SmartPod - A Conversation with American Airlines Vice President of Sustainability Jill Blickstein

Transcript

(Note: This transcript was created using artificial intelligence. It has not been edited verbatim.)

Sean McMahon 00:09

Hello, everyone and thank you for joining us for another episode of the sustainability smart pod. I'm your host Sean McMahon, and today I'm joined by Evan Milberg and Jaan vanValkenburg. One of our normal partners in crime, Karen Kantor... well, she's on vacation this week. So the three of us are going to have to fill in for her.

Jaan van Valkenb