Merged: Boeing Revises 787 First Flight and Delivery Plans- Again

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Read more: Unveiling a Dream, but not a silver bullet

The more fuel-efficient aircraft will become a mainstay of the fleet.

Qantas' budget offshoot, Jetstar, will receive the first of 50 Dreamliners on order for the group in mid-2013 - slightly later than the most recent timetable. Jetstar will use the 787s to replace its Airbus A330s on routes to Japan, Hawaii and Singapore.

Doesn't QF fly to Japan, Hawaii & Singapore?

Although the new aircraft would help Qantas reach more long-haul destinations due to their improved range, Mr Joyce said broader productivity improvements were needed to return the international operations to profit after losses of more than $200 million last financial year.

So the new aircraft will help JetStar reach the same destinations that they reach now and the 'Board' and AJ & BB are very happy with the fact that they can deliver productivity improvements by having QF take delivery of the 787's and let JQ operate an Airbus fleet only, but do not wish to do so. As JQ will need their ginger beers & LAME's to be rated on Airbus and Boeing aircraft going forward, doesn't that carry additional costs to the

JQ operation?

''[The Dreamliner] will make a big difference to Qantas' international direct network but it is not the silver bullet,'' he said. ''We need a lot more changes in that business in order for it to get back to profitability.''
[/QUOTE] As QF 94 said, if International was going so bad, why spend all those $$$$'s refitting the 747's with A380 seats and IFE ?