Boeing: Straighten Up And Fly

Boeing (BA) is delaying the initial flight of its new 787 Dreamliner, again. It is now set for the middle of December, about three months after the planned date.

Fliers, airlines, and investors are already a little nervous. A Boeing 737 had some fire problems in Japan last week, by no one was hurt.

Reuters writes: "The new date truncates Boeing’s already shortened test flight schedule but will not delay first delivery of the plane in May next year and does not affect financial forecasts, the company said."

Boeing wants to avoid the Airbus label. Everything is late, and then it is broken when it gets there.

With over 700 orders for the new Dreamliner, another delay will cost shareholders a bundle.

Douglas A. McIntyre