United said it expects to fly the plane to its Houston hub from Boeing Field in Seattle this week. The first of five 787s United should receive this year will be used in a month-long training program before it enters commercial service.

Chicago-based United has ordered 50 Dreamliners. Other carriers that have received the jet are All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines of Japan, Ethiopian Airlines, Chile's LAN Airlines and Air India.

The 787 is the world's first commercial passenger jet with an airframe made largely of carbon composites instead of aluminium. Because of its lighter weight, the plane consumes 20 percent less fuel than other jets its size on similar routes.

Average list prices for the 787 family start at $206.8 million. (Reporting by Karen Jacobs; Editing by Gerald E. McCormick; and David Gregorio)

• A Permanent Economic Emergency