Vietnam Airlines' New 787-9 Dreamliner Takes First Flight

Vietnam Airlines (VN)'s first Boeing 787-9 Dreanliner, Registration VN-A861, has completed its first test flight from Paine Field Airport, Everett, according to tweets posted by the airport.

The brand new aircraft took off from Boeing's Paine Field and flew the Seattle skies on Thursday, in preparation for its handover to Vietnam Airlines, expected later in mid-year.

The first test flight, known as B1 flight conducted by Boeing test pilots, was part of a series of work that the manufacturer performs before handing over the airplane to the airline.

Vietnam Airlines unveiled the first stretched Dreamliner in its new livery on its Facebook page, saying the 787-9, Registration VN-A861, has completed exterior painting.

The airline has 19 787-8s on order, all of which will be delivered by 2018. The flag carrier plans to deploy the airplanes on long-haul routes.

Meanwhile, the SkyTeam member is also on-track to take delivery of its first Airbus A350-900 around the middle of the year, when it will be the first airline in Asia to operate both Boeing and Airbus' latest next-generation aircraft at the same time.

Photo:Boeing