Boeing's 737-10, the largest airplane in the troubled 737 MAX family, completed its first flight successfully over the weekend.
The airplane took off from Renton Field in Renton in the US state of Washington and landed at Boeing Field in Seattle around two hours later on Friday (local time).
"The airplane performed beautifully," 737 Chief Pilot Captain Jennifer Henderson said.
"The profile we flew allowed us to test the airplane's systems, flight controls and handling qualities, all of which checked out exactly as we expected."
The flight was the start of a comprehensive test program for the 737-10. Boeing will work closely with regulators to certify the airplane prior to its scheduled entry into service in 2023.
The company seeks to reassure the market that the aircraft has no hidden bugs or issues after two Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft infamously crashed in recent years, killing 346 people in total.
"The 737-10 is an important part of our customers' fleet plans, giving them more capacity, greater fuel efficiency and the best per-seat economics of any single-aisle airplane," Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes said.
"Our team is committed to delivering an airplane with the highest quality and reliability."
The 737-10 can carry up to 230 passengers. It also incorporates environmental improvements, cutting carbon emissions by 14 percent and reducing noise by 50 percent compared to today's Next-Generation 737s.
Boeing 737 MAX 10 compared to aircraft of a similar size:
Maximum passengers:
- Boeing 737 MAX 10: 230
- Airbus A321neo: 220
- Boeing 737 MAX 8: 210
- Airbus A320neo: 180
- Airbus A220: 150
Maximum Range:
- Airbus A321neo: 7400km
- Boeing 737 MAX 8: 6570km
- Airbus A320neo: 6300km
- Airbus A220: 6297km
- Boeing 737 MAX 10: 6110km
