AIRBUS' A321XLR jet took off on what was its very first journey this morning (Wednesday, June 15).

The plane - the wings for which are made at the Broughton plant - took off from the Hamburg-Finkenwerder Airport plant at around 9am.

It was then expected to perform a five-hour test flight over Northern Germany.

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In a post on social media, Airbus Chief Executive Officer, Guillaume Faury said: “Fantastic day as our A321XLR takes to the air for the first time – congratulations TeamAirbus!”

“Thanks to our customers and partners who are on board with us making this game-changing aircraft a reality.”

“Many happy landings!”

Andreas Spaeth, an international aviation journalist based in Germany, captured this video of the A321XLR taking flight in Hamburg.

Airbus has said that extending the flight distances for A320 Family aircraft “opens even more exciting travel possibilities.”