Boeing 787: Possible to repeat the same success of 747?

The New Boeing 787
(We delay for the best of our clients) - suggested new tag line... :)

Boeing has introduced its newly designed business toy as the plan to stay ahead of the aviation industry.

This aircraft is expected to carry between 210 to 330 passengers with its selling point of improved fuel-efficiency which plays a major role of an airline's operation cost.

This immediately captured the attention from some major airline operators such as All Nippon Airways, Qantas and Air Canada. A total orders of about 900 units have been received from airline companies worldwide.

However, the roll out of this aircraft has been postponed for 4 times now. Major problem that causes the delay is the overweight of the aircraft. The following describe the delays:

Delay 1 (5th September 2007):
Duration - 3 months delay
Reason - Shortage of fasteners and incomplete software

Delay 2 (10th October 2007):
First Flight - 3 months delay
First Delivery - 6 months delay
Reason - Problems with foreign and domestic supply chain, lack of documentations from overseas suppliers and continue delay of flight guidance software

As a result, the 787 program manager has been replaced.

Delay 3 (16th January 2008):
First Flight - 3 months delay
First Delivery - early 2009
Reason - Insufficient progress from suppliers

Delay 4 (9th April 2008):
First Flight - 4th quarter of 2008
First Delivery - 15 months delay, 3rd quarter of 2009
Reason - Did not announced

Delay 5 (11th December 2008):
First Flight - At least 6 months delay, 2nd quarter of 2009
First Delivery - Summer 2010
Reason - Incorrect installation of some of the structurally important fasteners

Boeing 787's main feature was its light-weight design using composite materials including carbon fiber which made extra long flight possible (14,800 to 15,700 km: enough to cover the route from New York City to Taipei).

The following shows the specifications for 787s:

Model	787-3	787-8	787-9
Flight deck crew	Two
Passengers	290–330	210–250	250–290
Length	186 ft (57 m)		206 ft (63 m)
Wingspan	170 ft (52 m)	197 ft (60 m)	208 ft (63 m)
Wing sweep	32.2°
Height	55 ft 6 in (16.92 m)
Fuselage height	19 ft 5 in (5.91 m)
Fuselage width	18 ft 11 in (5.75 m)
Cabin width	18 ft (5.49 m)
Cargo capacity	4,400 ft³ (124.6 m³) 28 LD3		5,400 ft³ (152.9 m³) 36 LD3
Empty weight	223,000 lb (101,151.1 kg)	242,000 lb (109,769.4 kg)	254,000 lb (115,212.5 kg)
Maximum takeoff weight	364,000 lb (165,107.6 kg)	484,000 lb (219,538.7 kg)	540,000 lb (244,939.9 kg)
Cruise speed	Mach 0.85 (903 km/h, 561 mph, 487 knots, at 40,000 ft/12,192 m)
Maximum cruise speed	Mach 0.89 (945 km/h, 587 mph, 510 knots, at 40,000 ft/12,192 m)
Range	2,500 – 3,050 NM (4,650 – 5,650 km)	7,650 – 8,200 NM (14,200 – 15,200 km)	8,000 – 8,500 NM (14,800 – 15,750 km)
Maximum fuel capacity	11,086 US gal (41,965 L)	33,528 US gal (126,917 L)	36,693 US gal (138,898 L)
Service ceiling	43,000 ft (13,106.4 m)
Engines (2×)	General Electric GEnx or Rolls-Royce Trent 1000
Maximum thrust capability	53,000 lbf (235.8 kN)	64,000 lbf (284.7 kN)	70,000 lbf (311.4 kN)