787-9

Boeing next-generation passenger jet, 787-9 Dreamliner, has made a near-vertical takeoff above Moses Lake, Washington, US.

The company was preparing the Vietnam Airlines-branded aircraft for demonstration at the Paris Air Show, which will be hosted until 21 June.

During the trials, the 787-9 demonstrated its technical manoeuvre capabilities, Boeing said.

The company has released a video of the rehearsal, which gives the first look of the aircraft to be displayed at the air show.

Boeing 767 pilot Patrick Smith told CNN: "It looks like the takeoff is at a near vertical 90° angle, trust me it’s not.

"Presumably the plane was very light because it wasn’t carrying any passengers, probably had a very light fuel load, no freight, so it would have been able to perform a steeper than normal ascent, but not to the extent the video seems to show.

"But for demonstration purposes, under lightweight conditions, it’s perfectly natural for this aircraft to do that. It’s nothing dangerous."

"It looks like the takeoff is at a near vertical 90° angle, trust me it’s not."

Last year, Boeing has made a similar attempt with the 787-9 ahead of the 2014 Farnborough Airshow.

Said to be the second and newest member of the 787 family, the 787-9 features a fuselage stretched by 6m over the 787-8.

The aircraft can accommodate up to 40 more passengers and can fly an additional 830km, while offering 20% in fuel efficiency, as well as lower emission levels.

As of May 2015, Boeing has received 509 orders for 787-9, which represents 46% of all the 787 orders from 30 customers worldwide.

Image: The 787-9 has fuselage stretched by 6m over the 787-8. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.