New 787 Dreamliner suffers another delay

(AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL)

Travelers will have to wait until at least February 2011 to fly in the new 787 Dreamliner, Boeing announced August 27.

The new aircraft, which was due for delivery to Japanese airline ANA later this year, has been pushed back due to engine availability problems for final flight tests.

The 787 Dreamliner has been plagued by delays, with Boeing warning last month that several issues could mean it wasn't delivered until the "first few weeks" of 2011.

Now, the US aircraft giant estimates that delivery of the first 787 will take place in the "middle of the first quarter 2011."

The aircraft is expected to offer considerably improved in-flight comfort for passengers, with larger windows, higher pressurization to reduce headaches and cabin lighting designed to reduce jet lag.

Despite the recent series of setbacks, the Dreamliner should still take to the skies ahead of the composite rival designed by Boeing's European competitor Airbus, the A350XWB.