Painful lessons

Both Boeing and Airbus have learned the lessons from the 787’s delays

In June 2007 I was fortunate enough to be at Boeing’s Everett plant for its lavish rollout event for the 787 Dreamliner. Almost six years later I was again fortunate to be back at Everett to see the first 787 for Jetstar taking shape in final assembly.

Standing in the warm Seattle sunshine reflecting on the passage of time, it didn’t feel like six years had passed. But for Boeing, and its long-suffering 787 customers, like Qantas/Jetstar, it has been a very long six years. From fasteners to production problems to batteries, the 787 has had a rough ride.