The Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental successfully began its flight test program, taking off from Paine Field in Everett, Washington, before several thousand employees, customers, suppliers and community leaders. The airplane landed four hours and 25 minutes later at Boeing field in Seattle. The 747-8 Intercontinental’s first flight marks the beginning of a flight test program that will finish in the fourth quarter 2011.
“What a great privilege to be at the controls of such a great airplane on its first flight,” said chief pilot Mark Feuerstein. “And what an honor to share this day with the thousands of men and women who designed and built this airplane.”
The flight was the first of more than 600 flight hours in the test program for the new 747-8 Intercontinental. The airplane followed a route over eastern Washington, where it underwent tests for basic handling and performance. The airplane reached a cruising altitude of 19,000ft and a speed of up to 250kts.

 Source : Passenger Terminal World