Google has signed an agreement with American Airlines to support the airline provider in securing up to 35 million gallons (132 million liters) of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for use in its operations.

According to Google, the multi-year partnership helped American Airlines secure a long-term SAF supply deal with Valero, a San Antonio-based SAF and biofuels company. The deal will see Valero supply the SAF over a three-year period, which the companies claim will facilitate the reduction of up to 300,000 tons of CO2.

Under the terms of the agreement, American Airlines will purchase and take delivery of physical fuel for Chicago O’Hare International Airport through existing infrastructure. The SAF will be produced via waste feedstocks such as used cooking oil. Google will subsequently acquire the environmental credits tied to the SAF via a book-and-claim model.

“Our industry-leading agreement with Google is a critical step forward in reducing emissions from our operations,” said American’s chief sustainability officer Jill Blickstein. “By working with leaders like Google who share our commitment to innovation, we’re helping to grow demand for SAF and support the development of a stronger, more resilient market.”

“This strategic collaboration with American Airlines demonstrates how companies can work together to scale critical sustainability technologies,” added Google’s chief sustainability officer Kate Brandt. “By entering into this long-term commitment, we are sending a vital demand signal to catalyze investment and bring more SAF to market.”

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a drop-in replacement for conventional jet fuel made from non-fossil feedstocks such as agricultural waste, municipal solid waste, used cooking oil, or synthetic processes. Proponents claim it can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80 percent compared to fossil-derived kerosene and is chemically compatible with existing aircraft engines and fuelling infrastructure.

The biggest barrier to SAF’s deployment has been cost, with the fuel typically costing three to five times that of conventional jet fuel. In addition, concerns over feedstock supply have been raised, with large-scale SAF production reliant on a reliable supply of feedstocks that are highly location-dependent.

Google’s deal with American Airlines is not its first in the SAF sector. In 2023, Google joined the Avelia book-and-claim SAF program run by Amex GBT and Shell Aviation, which it extended into a long-term agreement in March 2026. In February 2026, it took part in a Singapore government-backed centralized SAF procurement trial alongside Singapore Airlines and Changi Airport Group.