Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental's maiden flight

The world’s longest passenger plane, the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental, took its first flight on March 20, making a smooth journey from Everett, Washington to Seattle in four hours and 25 minutes.

The 747-8, which measures 76 meters long, took off at Paine field at 9:59 a.m. with Chief Pilot Mark Feuerstein and Captain Paul Stemer at the helm. The plane hit a cruising altitude of 19,000 feet and a speed of up to 288 miles per hour before landing at Seattle’s Boeing Field at 2:24 p.m. local time.

Feuerstein reportedly said after the flight that it “went perfectly” and that it was “ready to go fly right now,” even when there are months of test flights ahead before the aircraft can be certified.

The first delivery of the 747-8 Intercontinental is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2011. Boeing has received 33 orders of 747-8 Intercontinental so far, with clients including Korean Air and Lufthansa.

Air China also promised to order five Intercontinentals, pending government approval.

After the maiden flight, the shares of Boeing Co. gained more than three percent on Monday.

The buzz surrounding the 747-8 appears to have ruffled feathers at Airbus, Boeing’s rival. Airbus’ A380, which entered service in 2007, is the world’s largest passenger aircraft.

When asked about the Air China deal, Airbus commercial director John Leahy was quoted as saying to the Financial Times: “That was very disappointing. We did think we had a better offer with the A380 at that particular juncture. You win some, you lose some.”

That’s right, Leahy. Like how you won the CNNGo Boeing 747-8 vs. Airbus A380 faceoff. We await your next move with bated breath.