Air New Zealand's 787-9 Dreamliner completed its first test flight from a Seattle, Washington airfield on May 28.

The new aircraft flew the Seattle skies in preparation for its handover to Air New Zealand, expected in July.

This first test flight, known as a B1 flight, included the two pilots who put the aircraft through its paces to verify performance. Functionality of the cabin was also assessed during the flight.

The aircraft, in its black with silver fern and koru livery, departed from Paine Field airport north of Seattle at 1:45 p.m. local time. The 787-9 reached an altitude of 11,800 metres and returned to the same airport 3 hours and 10 minutes later.