The solar-powered plane Solar Impulse 2 has landed in New York after flying by the city's iconic Statue of Liberty. The short journey from Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania to New York's JFK airport means the plane has now crossed the US as it attempts to circumnavigate the globe on no fuel.

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After touching down Solar Impulse's co-founder and pilot Andre Borschberg, said the Statute of Liberty was "a symbol of American values: the liberty to be a pioneer, the freedom to explore and invent."

He said: "It welcomes travellers who arrive in this country and flying over it was a tribute we paid for the welcome we received at each destination."

Betrand Piccard, Borschberg's partner on the project will now attempt to fly the plane across the Atlantic, although the team have "no idea" when that will be.

"The Monaco Mission Control Center has already started looking for a clear weather window to cross the pond," the team said on their blog. "We'll be landing somewhere between Ireland and Morocco, destinations include Ireland, France, Portugal, Spain, and Morocco."

However, they would like to aim for the French capital – as Charles Lindbergh did when he made the first solo flight across the Atlantic in 1927.

However, that may not be possible, because the super light Solar Impulse requires favourable winds and the right conditions may take weeks to arrive.

Covered in 17,000 photovoltaic cells, they either charge its lithium-ion batteries or electric motors, which keep the plane going during night hours.

"Patience will be the word," said flight director Raymond Clerc. "I expect the flight to take 3-4 days."

After starting on 9 March in Abu Dhabi, the plane has stopped 14 times en-route to New York, flying across India, China, Japan and Hawaii in the process. It's journey will be complete when it arrives back in Abu Dhabi.

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