Boeing to Delay Launch of Dreamliner—Again

Penalty payments could cost company up to $4B

(NEWSER) - Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner is already 15 months late, but delivery delays will back up the fuel-efficient jets by about another year, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports. Lease Financial Corp., the main buyer of 787s, will take delivery of its 74 planes 27 months late, and observers expect Boeing to pay up to $4 billion in penalties to compensate irate buyers. More»

Boeing 787 takes off after years of delays

(NEWSER) - Leaving behind a series of woes and delays, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner took flight on its maiden voyage today, exactly six years to the day after Boeing first offered the jet for sale in 2003. Since then, the jet has been wildly successful in terms of sales, but also the victim of a slew of mechanical problems and labor disputes. 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»

Troubled aircraft finally reaching last test stages

(NEWSER) - After years of delays, Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner may finally be finished. After a full on-the-ground simulation, one will leave the factory this week to take a place on the runway for a real test flight in June, the Seattle Times reports. Boeing lost 32 jet orders due to delays and the economic crisis, but still has 866. It expects more cancellations, but CEO Jim McNerney said reductions should be “modest.” More»