The Boeing 737 MAX 7 yesterday, successfully completed its first flight. The airplane is on schedule and now begins a comprehensive flight test program leading to certification and delivery in 2019.

Piloted by Boeing Test and Evaluation Captains Jim Webb and Keith Otsuka. The airplane took off from Renton Field, Washington at 10:17 a.m. Pacific and landed at 1:22 p.m. at Seattle's Boeing Field after completing a successful 3 hour, 5-minute flight.

During the test flight, the airplane was put through tests on its flight controls, as well as checks of its systems and handling qualities.

According to Keith Leverkuhn, Vice President and general manager of the 737 MAX program, the MAX 7 performed exactly as designed during the test flight.

The MAX 7 is the third and newest member of Boeing's 737 MAX family with a maximum capacity of 172 passengers. It has a range of 3,850 nautical miles, longest of the MAX family.

MAX 7 is designed for exceptional performance for airline customers flying out of airports at high altitudes and hot climates.

The Boeing 737 MAX 7 offers superior performance to the competition, carrying 12 more passengers 400 nautical miles farther than the Airbus A319neo, on 7 percent lower fuel costs.

The 737 MAX family features the latest CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets, Boeing Sky Interior and large flight deck displays.

The Boeing 737 MAX is the fastest-selling airplane in Boeing history, accumulating more than 4,300 orders from 93 customers worldwide.