We're about to stop handicapping the odds that Boeing will ever get these 787s built: A spokeswoman told aviation blog FleetBuzz that thanks to a crippling machinists strike, the Dreamliner won't be making its first flight before the end of 2008 as previously planned. That means it's almost certain that deliveries to carriers like ANA and Japan Airlines won't happen until 2010.

Here's what Boeing had to say:

First flight of the 787 Dreamliner will not be accomplished in the fourth quarter of 2008. The timeframe for first flight has not been established and will be based on the strike recovery assessment. The program is working to determine a new program schedule that will be announced when it is finalized.

Adding to the trouble are newly discovered quality control issues with fasteners, the variety of dodads that hold the plane together. Needless to say, you can't make test flights when you're worried that the plane isn't bolted together right!

Related Stories:
· Boeing 787 First Flight Delayed [FleetBuzz]
· Boeing 787 Schedule Pushed Back Again [USA Today]
· Could the Dreamliner Be Flying by 2009? [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-11-05T08:00:07-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/28/143923/84

A tentative deal has been made between Boeing and its machinists union, which could end the nearly two-month-long strike that's halted production at its Everett, Washington factory. It's likely that the union will vote to approve the deal, which promises a 15 percent raise over four years and protects union jobs.

Once a deal is done, workers can get back to rolling out airplanes, in particular the 777, which new airline V Australia is anxiously awaiting after pushing back its launch date because of the strike. Meanwhile, ANA, the launch customer for the much-anticipated 787, was planning for deliveries this winter, but after countless delays already, that seems about as likely as Ted Stevens turning down a Bridge to Nowhere.

Boeing currently says the fuel efficient Dreamliner will debut by the end of 2009, but at least one supplier says 2010 is more likely. And that's just the first plane: More than 900 have been ordered, and the company will only be able to make a few 787s a month until at least 2012.

Related Stories:
· Tentative Deal Reached in Boeing Strike [Seattle P-I]
· Goodrich Says Boeing's 787 May Be Delayed [Bloomberg]
· Boeing Says More Delays Probable [Reuters]
· Boeing coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Wikipedia]]]> pbb 2008-10-28T14:45:03-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2006/10/19/62521/627
Jaunted editor Davie Kaufmann is currently touring Japan. All this week, we'll be running stories from her Jaunted Field Trip to the Land of the Rising Sun. Have something you absolutely need to know about Japan? Just ask.

Sorry to disappoint, guys, but I didn't come out of my trip the wifi master of Japan. I only sought it out for work, and ended up having to banish myself to LAN hell for the duration of my travels because of sketch WiFi connections. Wires? What are those?

I happen to be typing this from my flight home--it's pitch black and I'm one of the only passengers awake--and yeah, it's a tad ironic that the best WiFi I've found was on my way out, on a plane in mid-flight no less. The free ANA wifi has been a joy, as back in Narita, it was going for ¥500 for 24 hours. Contrast that with the ghastly dinosaur-fi in the lobby of the Ritz-Carlton Osaka: ¥1000 for ONE HOUR! Their LAN was something like ¥1995 for 24 hours. Truly bizarre.

If I was back there and not up here, perhaps I'd return to Cafe Pause, where Skipper of the Grids Jean Snow is gallery manager, and the complimentary WiFi apparently flows free. In Osaka, I would try heading for Aprecio, which is open 24 hours, although I haven't been able to determine whether or not they've got WiFi in addition to the computer kiosks.

WiFi samurais of Japan weigh in. Let us know where to go for free Internets in the comments below.

[Photo: x180]]]> djk 2006-10-19T11:16:09-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2006/10/10/14199/905 <![CDATA[<b>Jaunted editor <a href="http://www.jaunted.com/user/djk/stories">Davie Kaufmann</a> will be updating this mid-air live blog throughout her long flight, so check back! Better yet, say "hi" to Davie in the <a href="http://www.jaunted.com/comments/2006/10/10/14199/905/0/post#here">comments.</a> </b><br> <img src="http://www.jaunted.com/files/admin/ontheplane.jpg"><br>Greetings from <a href="http://www.anaskyweb.com/us/e/">All Nippon Airways</a> flight 009, with service from New York's John F. Kennedy Airport to Japan's Narita Airport. Yes, we're on our way to Tokyo and the Connexion service on our flight is <a href="http://www.anaskyweb.com/us/e/travelservice/departure/other/tips/air/index.html">FREE</a>!<br><br><b>1:50 PM EST:</b> First impressions of the economy cabin are good. Leg room: decent. Flight attendants: nice. Water: tasty. Unidentifiable snack (pictured): not trying it. Internet connection: generally strong with only one lag so far. We're pretty much positive that our opinions of the seating will change once we've been on here for 10 hours (it's only been about 1 hour; total flight time is 14), but for now, all is good. Check back here later for more updates.<br><br><b>4:19 PM EST:</b> The internet connection has slowed down a bit, but for $0, it ain't half bad. Passed on the meal, but it seemed edible. AVOD works great, but we don't like the movies--lots of Sandra Bullock and family stuff. Lost all our yen in video blackjack. Also, that special time has come when economy pax start jolting their seats back, thus propping up the laptop to type gets harder. Time for a nap!<br><br><b>8:45 PM EST:</b> TWO Ambien and still, just a few winks here and there. I gave the man in the seat next to me a name: Paul. Paul's knee is totally invading my space, but I refuse to say anything, because I feel bad that he has the middle seat. As for whoever in front of me has their seat reclined, that's another story. Like, where are the margaritas, dude? Is this Club Med Airways? Lessons learned: I am the nicest person you can possibly sit next to on a long haul; you want to sit next to me. I, however, do not under any circumstances want to sit next to you.<br><br><b>12:06 AM EST:</b> Screaming baby count: 1 (muffled). Snacks consumed so far: 1 almond from new, still otherwise unidentifiable mix. Yen lost on video blackjack: too much to count. Jimmy Buffett in front of me has eased up a bit, and Paul is just a doll as always. I feel at one with my fellow passengers...very calm bunch we are. With about two hours left, I'm ready to say this is way more pleasant than I expected. I did a 10 hour flight from Vienna to JFK on Austrian that was WAY WORSE.<br><br><b>1:04 AM EST:</b> Someone turn on the AC! It's WARM! This is the most conservatively air conditioned flight I have ever been on.<br><br><b>5:30 AM EST:</b> Not on the flight anymore. Made it from Narita into the city with great ease. ANA gets an A-/B+ for its economy product. Too bad Connexion is going the way of the Dodo (for now, at least). Seeing as I fasted on the plane, I'm due for a snack. Time for nourishment djk 2006-10-10T17:05:47-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/