Boeing’s latest version of the 737 Max makes first flight

The final version of the 737 Max (Ellen M Banner/The Seattle Times via AP)

Boeing’s latest version of the 737 Max jetliner made its first test flight on Friday, taking off near Seattle for an expected two-hour trip that the company hopes will signal improving fortunes for its most important plane.

The Max 10 is a slightly larger version of Max jets that are already flying. It is designed to seat up to 230 passengers and compete with the A321neo from European rival Airbus.