EVERETT, Washington - More than a decade after its last all-new airliner took to the skies, Boeing Co. is poised to unveil the first of its prized 787s on Sunday. Airlines, leasing companies and other plane buyers have ordered more than 600 Dreamliners over the last few years, eager to hold Boeing to its promise that the midsize, long-haul jet will burn less fuel, be cheaper to maintain and offer more passenger comforts than comparable planes flying today. It will be the world's first large commercial airplane made mostly of carbon-fiber composites, which are lighter and more durable than aluminum. Final assembly of first 787 started in late May, after a gigantic, specially outfitted superfreighter started flying wings, fuselage sections and other major parts to Boeing's widebody plant, where they essentially get snapped together piece by huge piece. Once production hits full speed, the company each plane to spend just three days in final assembly, but this time Boeing workers spent several weeks installing electrical wiring and other innards that suppliers will eventually stuff into their sections of the plane before they're delivered to the assembly plant. Boeing decided to handle that work in-house for the first few planes rather than risk any production delays. Despite a few snags the company says it anticipated, including an industrywide shortage of airplane fasteners, Boeing officials say nothing so far has threatened to bump the 787 behind schedule.
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