The gesture, which saw BA flight 001 and Virgin flight VS3 to New York take to the skies at the same time at 8.30am on Monday, coincided with the US reopening its borders to international visitors for the first time since March 2020.

TTG features editor Abra Dunsby was onboard the BA flight, which was addressed by BA chairman and chief executive Sean Doyle, who reiterated BA’s commitment to sustainability with the flight partially powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

BA claims the 35% SAF mix meant the flight was the first commercial transatlantic flight to be operated with such a high blend of SAF and typical aviation fuel. According to BA, its SAF reduces lifecycle CO2 emissions by 80% compared with traditional fuel.

“This is a real moment of celebration for us after campaigning for so long to restore this crucial transatlantic link," said Doyle. “I know how much today means for many of you. Some of you have not seen your loved in almost two years; others have been prohibited from doing business.”

Dunsby, meanwhile, said there was a "palpable sense of excitement" onboard BA flight 001, with its passengers able to look out the window and share the moment with passengers travelling on the Virgin flight.

"Once we are airborne, the cabin is filled with the sound of cheering and applause as we all gaze out the window at the Virgin Atlantic plane, soaring alongside us like a shiny swan," she wrote for TTG from somewhere over the Atlantic.

"It’s close enough that we can see passengers waving inside. It’s a feat for the aviation industry and feels like a momentous symbol of hope and camaraderie in these strange times."

The moment was captured on video by Nats, the UK’s air traffic control manager. You can see the amazing footage, recorded from Heathrow’s control tower, below.