Virgin Atlantic has become the first airline to fly one of its commercial planes on biofuel.

A mix of standard jet fuel, coconut and babassu oils powered the Boeing 747 jumbo jet from London Heathrow to Amsterdam. Harvested from existing mature plantations, coconut and babassu oils were chosen for their environmentally and socially sustainable qualities.

No modifications were made to the engine to accommodate the biofuel, however extensive laboratory and static-engine testing on the ground was conducted to evaluate the energy and performance properties of the biofuel to be used in the flight. During the flight on-board technical advisors took readings and recorded flight data for analysis. Virgin Atlantic plans to share the results of its analysis with other airlines seeking ways of reducing their carbon emissions.

While the flight has been recognised as a step in the right direction, green groups have criticised how much bio-fuel was used. Three of the 747’s tanks were filled with jet fuel, while just over 20 per cent of the fourth tank contained the biofuel mixture.

Read more at Gizmag