Worldwide Dreamliner Orders Reach 790

Boeing and British Airways finalized an order, valued at $4.4 billion at list prices, for eight Boeing 787-8 and 16 787-9 Dreamliners. The airline also placed options for 18 787s and purchase rights for an additional 10. With the British Airways order, the total number of Dreamliners ordered worldwide rose to 790, Boeing said this week. In October, Boeing postponed the first flight and first delivery of the aircraft by six months due to assembly issues. First flight now is planned for the end of the first quarter 2008; first delivery to All Nippon Airways is planned by next November or December. "Reaching the 787th order is significant for the program, and it's great that we get to celebrate it with British Airways,” said Patrick Shanahan, who was named to head the 787 program in October. “Their leadership in the industry validates our momentum in the marketplace.” Common elements between the 787 and British Airways' 777 flight decks will allow for 777 pilots to train for 787 certification in only five days, Boeing said.