Boeing's new 747 takes flight near Seattle

Boeing Co flew its twice-delayed 747-8 Freighter for the first time on Monday, a significant milestone in the history of the legendary 747 family and a step that could bolster the credibility of the world's second-largest plane maker. The new plane -- the biggest commercial jet Boeing has ever built -- completed a three and a half hour flight around the Puget Sound area from an airfield north of Seattle, Washington, without any hitches. Boeing twice delayed the first flight of the 747-8 last year, most recently moving a planned fourth-quarter flight to early 2010 and first delivery to the fourth quarter of 2010.