Boeing pushes back 787 deliveries by six months

Were you planning to be one of the first to fly Boeing’s next-generation 787 Dreamliner? If so, you’ll have to push back your expectations. The manufacturer said that due to “continued challenges completing assembly of the first airplanes,” its delivery schedule will be delayed by six months. Previously, Boeing had said that the first new twin-aisle 787s would be delivered in May 2008, with All Nippon Airways as the launch customer. Now the company is targeting initial deliveries for late November or December 2008. Northwest Airlines is due to be the first North American carrier to take deliveries of the Dreamliner. It has ordered 68 of the planes, and was supposed to get the first one in August 2008. Continental Airlines has also ordered 25 787s.