Timeline of the 787
Published 9:43 pm Tuesday, December 15, 2009
December 2003
Boeing selects Everett: A year after scrapping its Sonic Cruiser and opting for a fuel-efficient midsized jet, Boeing picked Everett as the site of its final assembly line. Washington lawmakers passed more than $3 billion in tax incentives for the company and other aerospace suppliers.
April 26, 2004
Dreamliner wins launch order: Japan’s All Nippon Airways gave Boeing its largest launch order in history with a firm request for 50 Dreamliner jets. The deal then was valued at $6 billion. Boeing was supposed to deliver ANA’s first jet in May 2008.
“Airline interest in the 7E7 has been extraordinary. The size and speed of this order validates our view of the market and demonstrates the tremendous demand for the performance and value provided by the 7E7,” says Alan Mulally, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
Jan. 28, 2005
Chinese airlines order 787: Boeing names its new fuel-efficient jet the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The model designation came at the same time the company announced orders from the People’s Republic of China for 60 of the airplanes. The airplanes would be delivered to six carriers — Air China, China Eastern, China Southern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Shanghai Airlines and Xiamen Airlines.
“Incorporating the 8 at the time of the China order is also significant because in many Asian cultures the number 8 represents good luck and prosperity,” Mulally says.
September 2006
First 747 “Dreamlifter” arrives in Puget Sound region: To transport large 787 sections from its global suppliers, Boeing devised a fleet of bloated 747 Freighters. Evergreen Aviation Technologies modified the freighters in Japan. Boeing has three “Dreamlifter” freighters in its fleet, with plans for a fourth.
April 2007
First major 787 sections delivered to Everett: Boeing’s partner, Alenia Aeronautica, delivered the first major 787 section to Everett via a Dreamlifter. Assembly of the first Dreamliner began in Everett soon thereafter.
July 8, 2007
Boeing rolls out first Dreamliner: In front of 15,000 people gathered at Boeing’s Everett factory and thousands more watching around the world, Boeing rolled out its new 787 Dreamliner during a extravagant ceremony.
October 2007
Dreamliner suffers first major delay: Citing parts shortages and production issues, Boeing announced its first major delay, of six months, to the delivery of its 787. The company slated late 2008 as the jet’s new first delivery schedule. Boeing reassigned 787 program leader Mike Bair shortly after announcing the delay and put Pat Shanahan in charge.
April 2008
Third delay sidelines Dreamliner for six months: The aerospace company again adjusted first flight to the last three months of the year, saying it would deliver the first 787 in the first three months of 2009.
June 2009
Boeing finds “structural weakness,” delays jet again: Days after reassuring customers at the Paris Air Show that the 787 would fly by July 1, Boeing officials postponed the 787’s flight until the end of 2009 after finding a flaw in the area where the jet’s body and wings join. Scott Carson, president of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, announced his retirement shortly thereafter.
October 2009
Charleston, S.C. selected as site of second 787 assembly line: After secret talks failed with the Machinists union, Boeing announced that it selected Charleston, S.C., over Everett as the site of its second 787 assembly line. Boeing held a groundbreaking for the new factory in November.
— Michelle Dunlop, Herald Writer
