It’s hard to imagine that two years have gone by since the Boeing Co. first rolled out its 787 Dreamliner on 07-08-07 and still the aircraft has not flown.
Last year, I took you through some of the important stories that happened between 07-08-07 and 07-08-08 in this blog post.
As I was getting ready to do the same for today’s post, I searched the Herald archives for Boeing 787-related items that were published (online and/or in print) over the past year. More than 350 stories/blog posts/opinion pieces/etc. showed up — almost a 787 item each day. That amazes me but it also shows how important this plane is to Snohomish County.
Here are the 787 highlights for the last year:
In late July, Boeing shares took a beating as Wall Street analysts expressed doubts that Boeing would reach agreements with its unions and stave off a strike.
A few weeks later, Boeing logged its first 787 cancellation.
In early September, Boeing Machinists went on strike, putting 787 production on hold.
Mid-October, American Airlines said it would order 42 Boeing 787s.
As Machinists began returning to work in early November, Boeing confirmed a new delay on the 787, citing the strike and fastener issues.
Boeing completed destructive tests on the 787’s wing in mid-November as SPEEA members prepared to accept the company’s contract offer.
A month later, Boeing confirmed a new delay for the 787, making the Dreamliner almost two years behind schedule. The company also made some changes in management.
In early January, Boeing said it would cut 4,500 workers from its commercial airplanes division. Later that month, Boeing began production work on the fifth 787 and lost an order for 15 Dreamliners from a Russian carrier.
LCAL cancelled 16 of its 21 Dreamliners on order in February. Boeing customers Virgin Atlantic and ILFC complained about 787 delays and the strike at a delivery ceremony in Seattle.
Washington state started making a play for a second 787 production line here in March. And Boeing’slast flight test plane went into final assembly.
In April, Gov. Gregoire called for an aerospace council to keep Washington competitive for a second 787 line. Boeing landed a new order for its 787 from Gulf Air.
Late in April, analyst Scott Hamilton warned SnoCo biz leaders that Boeing could locate not only a second 787 line but also the first out of state.
Boeing gave media a briefing on first flight and the flight test program as April ended.
In May, Boeing ran the 787’s engines and continued tests toward first flight.
In mid-June, Boeing postponed the first flight of its 787 Dreamliner just days after executives assured people at the Paris Air Show the jet would fly by month’s end.
Qantas canceled an order for 15 Dreamliners in late June, bringing the 787’s cancellation tally to 73 this year.
Lastly, on July 7, Boeing bought 787 supplier Vought, fueling speculation about a second line.
Herald reporter Michelle Dunlop is on vacation July 7 to 14.
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