SEATTLE - Boeing (NYSE: BA) has flown the 787-9 Dreamliner to Auckland, home of launch customer Air New Zealand, marking the 787-9's international tour and longest flight since the test program started.

The second of three 787-9 aircraft dedicated to the flight-test program, ZB002 flew direct from Seattle's Boeing Field to Auckland International Airport, departing January 3 at 9:55 a.m. local time and landing some 13 hours, 49 minutes later. The airplane is scheduled to continue on to Alice Springs, Australia, for testing in hot weather.

The Boeing 787-9 aircraft is the latest addition to the Boeing 787 family. With the fuselage stretched by 20 feet (6 meters) over the 787-8, the 787-9 will fly up to 40 more passengers an additional 300 nautical miles (555 km).

The Boeing 787-9 aircraft stems from the design of the 787-8 aircraft, with larger passengers windows and stow bins, LED lighting, higher humidity and a lower cabin altitude.

According to the aircraft marker, the Boeing 787-9 aircraft is on schedule for delivery to Air New Zealand in mid-2014.