Hydrogen fuel cells are certainly taking their fair share of headlines in the past 24 hours. First, GM announced they would produce 1,000 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles over the next four to six years and now Boeing has announced the successful launch of the world's first hydrogen fuel cell airplane, the latest and greatest development in the aviation world (ha, take that Richard Branson!).

Though the plane, developed and flown by European engineers, has already completed three test flights, representatives from Boeing hope this is just the beginning of greener, cleaner flying options.

The breakthrough is "full of promises for a greener future," Boeing Chief Technology Officer John Tracy told reporters at the company's research center in Arcana, Spain, where the aircraft was on display. "Boeing recognizes that pollution represents a serious environmental challenge," Tracy added.

The test flights were conducted at an altitude of 3,300 feet and cruised for 20 minutes on electric power that was generated by fuel cells.

Hydrogen may reduce emissions because no pollutants are emitted, however it is still not a cost-efficient option. Air travel experts are hopeful that will change in the future, as fuel cells convert energy two to three times more efficiently than the standard combustion engines. Fuel cells aren't expected to be powerful enough to supply energy to large planes, however they have the potential to be used in small manned and unmanned planes.

"Over the longer term," the company said in a statement, "solid oxide fuel cells could be applied to secondary power-generating systems, such as auxiliary power units for large commercial airplanes."

Boeing added that it "will continue to investigate their potential, as well as other sustainable alternative fuel and energy sources that improve environmental performance."

» MSNBC Environment