First Boeing 787 Dreamliner delivery now expected early 2011

Not long to wait now, although no exact date yet!

Boeing have said today that it now expects delivery of the first 787 Dreamliner in the middle of the first quarter 2011.

The delivery date revision follows an assessment of the availability of an engine needed for the final phases of flight test this fall.

While Boeing works closely with Rolls-Royce to expedite engine availability, flight testing across the test fleet continues as planned.

Boeing said last month that the cumulative impact of a series of issues, including supplier workmanship issues related to the horizontal stabilizer and instrumentation delays, could push first delivery of the 787 Dreamliner a few weeks into 2011. The delay in engine availability has extended that estimate to mid-first quarter 2011.

Photo source Wikimedia

All Nippon Airways will be the first Boeing customer to take delivery of a 787 Dreamliner with a further 49 aircraft on order from the Japanese airline.