Virgin Blue's money plane takes off

[Andrew M]

One month is going to have to be, if they delay the inaugural flight it would be a PR nightmare of epic proportions!

[Rhys Xanthis]

Originally Posted by Andrew McLaughlin

That's incorrect. The strike is by the machinists who fabricate and assemble the aircraft's structural components on the assembly lines, not the interior installers. The interiors ARE installed in Seattle unless they're a custom interior, e.g. for BBJs etc.

Originally Posted by bbc.co.uk

Production at the world's biggest aircraft manufacturer, Boeing, is to stop in the US after 27,000 workers at the company called a strike over pay.

Members of the Machinists Union, mainly based in Seattle, will down tools after last minute negotiations failed.

Boeing says it has offered more than $34,000 (£17,000) per employee in pay and benefits.

Analysts say the stoppage cause further delays in the delivery of the new Dreamliner aircraft.

The union says with that with Boeing's record profits and its members going without a pay rise for the last four years, the offer is not good enough.

Dreamliner delays

The Machinists Union is Boeing's biggest labour group, and the company has said it will not try to assemble aircraft during the strike.

Analysts say that the stoppage could cost Boeing at least $100m each day in lost revenues, as well as delays in the delivery of the Dreamliner aircraft.

Boeing hopes that its latest lightweight passenger jet - which is already two years late - will help it compete with rival manufacturer, Airbus.

Most of the striking workers are based around Seattle in Washington State.

The BBC's Rajesh Mirchandani says Boeing is so important to the local economy that the state governor has repeatedly called on both sides to find a solution to the dispute.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7601568.stm

Just some follow up for that.

[Brian Wilkes]

Things just got better for the 787

[Scott Lindsell]

Originally Posted by Radi K

As I understand it;

VGA is 'wrapped up' because of ongoing B777 delays associated with a shortage of galley parts and now a Boeing staff strike. The seats wont be getting installed in Seattle at any rate anyway!

Radi,
PDX ????

Scott.

[Radi K]

VCV Scotty...