Byline: By GREG O'KEEFFE

THE FIRST daily flight from Liverpool to New York was set to take-off today.

Operated by airline Flyglobespan the 202-seat aircraft, decorated with the famous John Lennon doodle which is the logo of Liverpool John Lennon airport, was taking off at 3pm.

The Boeing 757 aircraft was named Across the Universe after a suggestion by Yoko Ono.

Lennon's widow was invited to the inaugural launch, along with council leader Warren Bradley and airport chairman Robert Hough, to cut the ribbon at a special ceremony.

Tourism chiefs hope that the new link will open the gateway to increasing numbers of American tourists to Liverpool and Merseyside....