Virgin Atlantic is purchasing 15 eco-friendly aircraft from Boeing, making it a total of more than 500 orders of the new 787 Dreamliners for Boeing. What is even better news is that Virgin and Boeing are engaging on a partnership to do environmental research to develop sustainable fuel sources for the aviation industry including commercial jet engines. Both companies along with GE Aviation will be conducting a joint biofuel demonstration in 2008 using a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747-400. Details to be released later this year. Moreover, Virgin Atlantic and Boeing are joining forces to innovate ways of reducing fuel burn and aircraft carbon emissions on the ground during aircraft operations at airports. Their goal is to reduce fuel consumption and cut carbon emissions by up to 50 per cent by implementing new procedures such as towing aircraft to starting grid. The 787-9 Dreamliners are promised to be quieter when taking off and landing. Best of all , they'll use 20 per cent less fuel for every passenger on board than other existing aircraft of similar size. Passengers will start enjoying these new and more spacious airplanes in the next few years, which will provide better air purification, humidity and lighting for reading and also larger windows and more stowage space. Kudos to Virgin Atlantic for taking some leadership in the new green frontier!