The first transatlantic flight large passenger plane (Boeing 787) moving alone with alternative fuels is expected shortly.

According to the BBC report, the Virgin Atlantic aircraft is expected to take off from London’s Heathrow Airport to New York’s JFK Airport at 11:30 GMT.

Airlines see the flight, which is backed by government funding, as proof that a greener way of flying is possible.

However, lack of fuel supply remains a challengewhile other technology will be needed to meet the emissions target.

The flight is a one-off of its kind so far and does not carry fare-paying passengers.

So-called sustainable aviation fuel (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 used, with 88% coming from waste fats and the rest from waste from US corn production.

After testing and analysis, the flight was cleared by the UK regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority. A number of companies were involved in the project, including engine maker Rolls-Royce and energy giant BP.

Virgin Atlantic chief executive Shai Weiss said the flight “proves that fossil fuels can be replaced by sustainable aviation fuels”.

“It’s really the only path to getting rid of carbon-intensive long-haul aviation beyond the newest fleet in the sky,” he told the BBC’s Today programme. “It’s a really significant achievement.”

He admitted that because of more expensive fuel, flight prices would end up being higher.