Boeing delays Dreamliner flight, deliveries

NEW YORK: Boeing is delaying the first flight of its highly awaited 787 Dreamliner jet to the second quarter of 2009 and won't ship its first delivery until the following year due to the impact of the recent Machinists' strike and production glitches.

Prior to the strike that halted much of Boeing's commercial airplane work this fall and cost the aerospace company $100 million a day, the 787 was to make its first flight by year-end. First delivery had been slated for the 2009 third quarter.

The Chicago-based company says the delay also is linked to replacing fasteners on some early production planes.

Boeing Co. says it is evaluating the delay's impact on customer deliveries and financial guidance.