Title: Green technologies in the airline industry: a review of adoption, maturity, and future directions

Authors: Teeris Thepchalerm; Phutawan Ho Wongyai

Addresses: Aviation Business Management, School of Management, Mae Fah Luang University, 333 moo 1 Tasud Mueng Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand ' Aviation Business Management, School of Management, Mae Fah Luang University, 333 moo 1 Tasud Mueng Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand

Abstract: This review article examines the integration of green technologies in the airline industry, focusing on their categories, developmental status, and prospective trajectories. It delineates four primary domains: sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), aircraft design and propulsion, cabin and in-flight services, and digital technologies. Hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids - synthetic paraffinic kerosene (HEFA-SPK) and advanced turbofan engines have reached full maturity, whereas alcohol-to-jet-synthetic paraffinic kerosene (ATJ-SPK), the power-to-liquid synthetic paraffinic kerosene (PtL-SPK), hybrid-electric propulsion, and blended wing bodies remain in preliminary development phases. Numerous cabin and digital innovations are presently in broad implementation. Key future priorities include expanding the utilisation of SAFs and advancing hybrid-electric propulsion systems. Overcoming technical, economic, and regulatory challenges will require coordinated efforts to achieve substantial decarbonisation and sustainability.

Keywords: green technologies; technology readiness levels; sustainable aviation fuels; SAFs; sustainable aviation; aviation decarbonisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSA.2026.153319

International Journal of Sustainable Aviation, 2026 Vol.12 No.1, pp.44 - 56

Received: 24 Aug 2025
Accepted: 19 Dec 2025
Published online: 01 May 2026 *

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