Was To Have Been Available To Carry Passengers November 4th

United Continental Holdings, which took delivery of its first Dreamliner September 24, was supposed to have had a second 787 ready to enter service November 4th. But that delivery has been indefinitely delayed for unspecified reasons.

Bloomberg Business Week reports that United spokeswoman Christen David said that the airline was told by Boeing that the second airplane "is not ready for delivery as scheduled," and "we believe subsequent aircraft could be delayed as well."

Boeing spokesman Tim Bader told Bloomberg that the planemaker is "working diligently to complete United Airline's next 787 for delivery," but that finishing the airplanes is "taking a few days longer than anticipated."

United was scheduled to take delivery of five Dreamliners this year. The airline said it will use a 777 to fly the routes that were supposed to be flown by the second Dreamliner, and will offer refunds to those passengers who had booked flights specifically because they would be flying on the new airplane.

As early as last week, Boeing told analysts and investors during a conference call that United's Dreamliner delivery schedule was on track. United was notified of the delay October 26th, and no new timeline for the deliveries has been announced.

FMI: www.boeing.com, www.united.com