
US planemaker Boeing is to deliver its first 787 Dreamliner later on Monday to Japan's All Nippon Airways, after three years of delays.
The Dreamliner had originally been scheduled for delivery in 2008 but Boeing has suffered a string of setbacks, the latest being an onboard fire during test flights in January.
The fuel-efficient plane is made from lightweight composite materials.
Boeing plans to make 10 of the planes per month from 2013.
The plane will be delivered in Everett, Washington before being flown to Tokyo, where it is scheduled to arrive on Wednesday.
Boeing says the single-aisle plane features the industry's largest windows, a lower cabin altitude and cleaner air - all of which combine to allow passengers to arrive at their destinations more refreshed.
But the problems with the Dreamliner have damaged Boeing's reputation and the company will hope a successful launch will help put to bed some of the memories of the delays it suffered.
Saj Ahmad, analyst at FBE Aerospace, said Boeing lost oversight of its production system, leading to the string of "embarrassing delays and increased project costs".
"Boeing's saving grace is that the fuel-efficient 787 family represents a stunning technological breakthrough unseen in the history of aviation and lays the foundation for the way in which all future generations of planes will be built - using stronger, lighter materials such as composites rather than traditional aluminium, steel and other metals."
But he added: "Make no mistake - handing over the first 787 does not in any way mean or represent Boeing turning a corner in its troubled flagship programme."
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