Boeing Flies 787-9 Dreamliner to Auckland

Boeing has flown the 787-9 Dreamliner to Auckland, home of launch customer Air New Zealand.

The flight marks the 787-9's international debut and longest flight since the robust test program began.

The second of three 787-9s dedicated to the flight-test program, ZB002 flew direct from Seattle's Boeing Field to Auckland International Airport, departing 3 January at 09:55 local time and landing some 13 hours, 49 minutes later.

The airplane is scheduled to continue on to Alice Springs, Australia, for testing in hot weather.

The 787-9 will complement and extend the 787 family. With the fuselage stretched by 20 feet (6 meters) over the 787-8, the 787-9 will fly up to 40 more passengers an additional 300 nautical miles (555 km).

Boeing is on track to deliver the 787-9 to launch customer Air New Zealand in mid-2014.

Twenty-six customers from around the world have ordered 402 787-9s, accounting for 39% of all 787 orders.