Boeing 787s Scheduled to Land 2 Years Late

Machinists strike, other bugs throw more wrenches into Boeing's production

(NEWSER) - Wheels-up time for Boeing’s much-anticipated Dreamliner jet will likely be delayed at least another 6 months, leaving customers wondering if the aircraft will ever take to the skies, the Wall Street Journal reports. The fourth delay, attributed to the recent machinists strike, bugs in the plane’s computer software, and other snags, may push delivery to summer 2010—more than 2 years late. More»

Airlines already well under capacity as passenger numbers fall

(NEWSER) - Airlines battling rising fuel costs and weakening demand have become unexpected beneficiaries of production delays on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A380 jumbo jets, reports the Wall Street Journal. "For the industry, it's great,” says the chair of Air Canada’s parent company, "because it means less capacity." The carrier has 37 Dreamliners on order. More»

Buys pre-assembly plant that caused serious delays

(NEWSER) - Seeking to stem mounting delays in the production of its breakthrough 787 jetliner, Boeing is getting more involved in the early steps of the assembly process, the Chicago Tribune reports. Boeing said yesterday it will buy out a partner's share of a South Carolina plant that assembles two rear sections of the Dreamliner's fuselage, allowing them to get the company's assembly line and 300 workers back on track. More»

(NEWSER) - Boeing was expecting to ride high on defense contracts in mid-2009 even as its 787 Dreamliner transformed air travel—but widespread problems have shadowed the firm's "dream summer," Dan Reed writes in USA Today. The Dreamliner's launch was delayed for a fifth time after structural problems were discovered, and analysts fear for the company's future as orders are canceled and defense contracts scaled down amid cutbacks and poor performance. More»

(NEWSER) - The wait for Boeing’s long-delayed first flight of its 787 Dreamliner became even longer today. The company announced it would miss its late June target because part of the plane needs to be reinforced, the Wall Street Journal reports. Boeing stock fell 7% on the news. The 787, Boeing's first new jet in more than a decade, was supposed to make its maiden flight in late 2007 but it has been plagued by production problems. More»