United's 787 Dreamliner takes first production flight over Seattle

UNITED AIRLINES' first 787 Dreamliner has completed its first production flight as aircraft manufacturer Boeing makes final preparations for delivering it to the carrier at the end of September.

The aircraft took off from Boeing's Paine Field in Everett, Washington, and its pilots flew the 787 around the Seattle for three hours as part of planned tests of the aircraft's controls and systems.

During the flight, crewmembers examined the aircraft's instruments at high and medium altitudes. They also checked backup and safety elements, including cabin pressurisation, avionics, navigation and communications systems, a statement from the airline said.

This first flight was part of a series of work that the manufacturer performs after each 787 comes out of its paint hangar and before airlines take delivery of the planes. The work also includes fuelling, systems tests, engine runs and taxi tests.