Virgin Atlantic and BA face formal complaints over sustainability claims

Exclusive: Airlines accused of making misleading claims in same week as first transatlantic commercial biofuel flight

Virgin Atlantic and British Airways are facing formal complaints over their sustainable flight claims after being accused of misleading potential customers about the environmental credentials of aviation.

This week, a Virgin Atlantic plane took off on the first transatlantic flight by a commercial airliner fully powered by sustainable" jet fuel, largely comprising cooking oil. The flight, partly funded by the UK government, flew to great fanfare from airlines and ministers as a potentially guilt-free way to fly. However, scientists and environmental groups are more sceptical.