Boeing announces more delays for the 787, pushing the test into 2009 and the delivery into 2010:

The U.S. plane maker has already said the first 787 test flight won’t happen until 2009, missing its end-of-year target, and most industry-watchers think first deliveries of the carbon-composite plane won’t take place until well into 2010, about two years after the original target.

The latest delay will be the fourth major schedule slip on the airplane, severely testing the goodwill of Boeing’s customers and the faith of Wall Street analysts, both of which championed the fuel-efficient plane early in its development.

But the main risk for Boeing is that a further delay will also seriously upset customer airlines, leading to deferrals of orders or outright cancellations.

Analysts blame suppliers, Boeing might blame the union strike, but LOLFed simply wonders if there will be any airlines that are not bankrupt by 2010 who can actually take delivery of these things. James McNerney, upon calling his predecessor Alan Mulally for advice, received the suggestion that he taxi a 787 from Seattle to Washington, D.C., and ask Congress if they could spare a couple bucks to help the process along.