The Boeing B787-9 Dreamliners is on its first test flight in the US. — Photo courtesy of VNA

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — National carrier Vietnam Airlines (VNA) on May 27 said the first of its new Boeing B787-9 Dreamliners had completed its first test flight.

The newly painted Dreamliner took off from Paine Field in Everett, Washington, manned by a Boeing aircrew that checked the aircraft's systems during the two-hour, 36-minute flight.

The aircraft will undergo more tests and a customer flight before being delivered to VNA.

The B787-9 Dreamliner is the latest addition to Boeing's super-efficient 787 family. The new aircraft can fly farther and with more passengers and cargo than the B787-8, with the same exceptional environment-friendly performance of 20 per cent less fuel usage and 20 per cent fewer emissions than the aircraft it will replace.

The new aircraft will have fully flat beds in the business class, along with larger windows and stow bins, modern LED lighting, higher humidity and cleaner air, besides lower cabin pressure and a smoother and quieter ride.

VNA will also test in-flight wi-fi on its new Boeing 787-9 to offer more convenience to customers.

As it rolls out a major fleet upgrade, including 19 B787s and 14 Airbus A350-900 XWBs, VNA will become the first Asian airline to operate both Boeing and Airbus' latest next-generation aircraft at the same time.

The SkyTeam member will also be the first airline to operate the new B787-9 Dreamliner non-stop between Southeast Asia and Europe, with Heathrow becoming the first international destination on the VNA network to be connected by the new aircraft.

Vietnam Airlines plans to introduce its brand new livery, corporate identity and brand image to coincide with the introduction of its new fleet in July this year. — VNS