We’ve already covered some of the steps commercial airlines are taking towards being more environmentally friendly. Carbon offset programs and investing in newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft are just a few of the initiatives being taken by domestic and international airlines.

In the push to make airlines more eco-conscious, Virgin Atlantic is upping the ante with an upcoming biofuel test flight.

Virgin, which has always been a leader in the responsible travel charge, is making news again with an upcoming test flight of a 747 powered by biodiesel fuel. The flight, which will occur without passengers, will take place in late Feb. and will run from London to Amsterdam. Boeing and GE Aviation have partnered with Virgin on the flight.

So what’s the buzz about biofuels? Simply stated, biofuels are made from photosynthetic plant sources. These fuels are seen as a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional fossil fuels because they burn “cleaner” and therefore produce fewer carbon emissions.

There is, however, some concern that unless biofuels are produced in a sustainable manner, they may not live up to the eco-friendly reputation that precedes them. Fuel sources such as palm oil have come under attack, as forest-clearing that could take place to create new palm plantations has its own negative impact on the envirnoment. Jatropha, a genus of plants native to Central America, has been proposed as a more environmentally sound source for biodiesel fuels.

According to an article in the New York Times, Virgin is ensuring that the biofuel being used for the upcoming test flight comes from a “very sustainable source” that does not compete with food or fresh water sources. The aircraft will use a mixture of biofuel and kerosene.