Boeing’s new 787-10 has completed its first test flight.

The airplane, which was first rolled out in February 2017, flew above South Carolina for four hours and 58 minutes, carrying out tests on flight controls, systems and handling.

“The 787-10’s first flight moves us one step closer to giving our customers the most efficient airplane in its class,” said Kevin McAllister, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The airplane will give carriers added flexibility in growing their network routes and build on the overwhelming success of the 787 Dreamliner family.”

According to Boeing, the 787-10 will now undergo comprehensive flight testing before certification. Deliveries to airline customers will begin in the first half of 2018.

A total of 149 orders have so far been placed from Air Lease Corporation, All Nippon Airways, British Airways, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, GECAS, KLM, Singapore Airlines and United Airlines.

The 787-10 is a 5.5m stretch of the 787-9, which is itself a 6m stretch of the 787-8. It is capable of carrying 15% more cargo over the 787-9 and has a nominal range of 11,910km.

The longest member of the 787 family is built exclusively at Boeing’s facility in North Charleston, South Carolina.