New York : The first transatlantic flight by a large passenger plane powered only by alternative fuels has landed in the US. Operated by Virgin Atlantic, it flew from London's Heathrow to New York's JFK airport. Airlines see the flight, which is supported by government funding, as demonstrating that a greener way of flying is possible.

However, a lack of fuel supply remains a challenge, while other technology will be needed to hit emissions targets. 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 was filled with 50 tonnes of SAF. Two types were used, with 88 per cent derived from waste fats and the rest from the wastes of corn production in the US.

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