FAA clears the way for first Boeing 787 flight

The Federal Aviation Administration has cleared the way for the new Boeing 787 to take its first commercial flight.

Both the FAA and European regulators certified the plane for flight on Friday. Boeing plans to deliver the first 787 to Japan's All Nippon Airways in September. The airline plans to fly it for the first time as a charter on Oct. 26 and begin regular service Nov. 1.

Delivery is about three years late. Boeing completed flight tests on the 787 this month. The Chicago airline maker has orders for more than 800 of the planes from 55 customers.

More than half of the Boeing 787 is composite materials. Boeing Co. says the airplane will be quieter and use 20 percent less fuel than planes of similar size.