The Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner took to the skies for the first time earlier at Boeing South Carolina.

The airplane, which is the newest and longest model of the 787 family, completed a successful flight totalling four hours and 58 minutes.

“The 787-10’s first flight moves us one step closer to giving our customers the most efficient airplane in its class,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes president Kevin McAllister.

“The airplane will give carriers added flexibility in growing their network routes and build on the overwhelming success of the 787 Dreamliner family.”

Piloted by Boeing test and evaluation captains Tim Berg and Mike Bryan, the airplane performed tests on flight controls, systems and handling qualities.

The 787-10 will now undergo comprehensive flight testing before customer deliveries begin in the first half of 2018.

“From take-off to landing, the airplane handled beautifully and just as expected,” said Berg, chief 787 pilot.

The 787-10 is a fantastic machine that I know our customers and their passengers will love.”

The 787-10 has won 149 orders from nine customers across the globe including launch customer Singapore Airlines, Air Lease Corporation, All Nippon Airways, British Airways, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, GE Capital Aviation Services, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and United Airlines.

As an 18-foot stretch of the 787-9, the 787-10 will deliver the 787 family’s preferred passenger experience and long range with 25 per cent better fuel per seat and emissions than the airplanes it will replace and ten per cent better than today’s competition.