Solar Impulse Soars Across Atlantic In Historic Flight

Swiss pilot Bertrand Piccard, right, prepares for take off in the long-range experimental solar-powered aircraft Solar Impulse 2 from JFK International Airport in New York on June 20. 

Solar impulse 2 flies over New York on June 20.

The flight across the Atlantic is the latest leg of its globe-circling voyage which began in March 2015 from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

Swiss founders and pilots, Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg hope to demonstrate how pioneering spirit, innovation and clean technologies can change the world.

The Solar Impulse 2 flies over New York City and the Statue of Liberty on June 20.

Bertrand Piccard flies the Solar Impulse before landing in Seville, Spain on June 23. 

Solar Impulse 2 flies before landing at San Pablo airport in Seville, Spain on June 23. The wings of Solar Impulse 2, which stretch wider than those of a Boeing 747, are equipped with 17,000 solar cells that power propellers and charge batteries. The plane runs on stored energy at night.

Solar Impulse 2 flies before landing in Seville on June 23.

Organizers said the aircraft had flown 4,204 miles at a maximum height of 28,000 feet and average speed of 59 mph.

Solar Impulse 2 flies over San Pablo airport in Seville on June 23.

Solar Impulse 2 flies over the saluting Spanish air force aerobatic team Patrulla Aguila before landing at San Pablo airport in Seville on June 23.

The Solar Impulse 2 landed in Seville in southern Spain at 0540 GMT on Thursday, ending a 71-hour, 8-minute flight which began from New York City. It was the first time a solar-powered plane has made such a journey using zero fuel and zero emissions, organizers said.