Virgin Atlantic becomes first transatlantic flight to use 100% green fuels

The first transatlantic flight by a large passenger plane powered only by alternative fuels will take off at 11.30am today from London’s Heathrow to New York’s JFK airport.

Operated by Virgin Atlantic, and supported by government funding it demonstrates that a greener way of flying is possible.

But a lack of fuel supply remains a challenge, while other technology will be needed to hit emissions targets. The flight is a one-off of its kind so far, and is not carrying fare-paying passengers.

So-called sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) can be made from a variety of sources, including crops, household waste and cooking oils.

For this flight, a Boeing 787 will be filled with 50 tonnes of SAF. Two types are being used, with 88% derived from waste fats and the rest from the wastes of corn production in the US.

The flight was approved by UK regulator the Civil Aviation Authority earlier this month with a number of companies having been involved in the project including engine-maker Rolls-Royce and energy giant BP.

The aviation industry is going to be particularly difficult to decarbonise, but airline bosses view SAF as the most effective tool available to help bring its net emissions down to zero.

Planes still emit carbon when using SAF, but the industry says the “lifecycle emissions” of these fuels can be up to 70% lower.

Shai Weiss, chief executive of Virgin Atlantic, said the airline’s flight on Tuesday was “proving… that fossil-derived fuel can be replaced by sustainable aviation fuel”.

“It’s really the only pathway to decarbonising long-haul aviation over and above having the youngest fleet in the sky,” he told the BBC’s Today programme. “It is a really momentous achievement.”

However, he said there was not enough SAF currently. “The issue is how we get enough production here in the UK as part of an industrial revolution and more importantly around the world.”

He admitted that due to the fuel being more expensive, flight prices would end up being higher.