The year in review — and what's ahead

2006

March: Stephen Udvar-Hazy, CEO of major aircraft lessor ILFC, says publicly that Airbus' A350 rival to Boeing's 787 isn't good enough.

June:

• Airbus announces a new six-month delay in delivery of its superjumbo A380.

• Boeing agrees to a $615 million settlement with the Justice Department, ending its punishment over major defense-contract-procurement scandals.

July:

• Airbus CEO Gustav Humbert and the head of parent company EADS, Noël Forgeard, both resign. Outsider Christian Streiff is appointed new Airbus CEO.

• At England's Farnborough Air Show, Airbus announces a revamped, wider-body A350, now matched against the 777 as well as the 787.

September:

• Airbus pushes the A380 program back another 10 months, stretching schedule delays to two years.

• Alan Mulally, CEO at Boeing's commercial division, leaves to head Ford. Top Boeing salesman Scott Carson replaces him.

• Boeing's first converted 747 Large Cargo Freighter flies into Seattle for flight tests prior to transporting pieces of the 787 around the globe.

October: New Airbus CEO Streiff resigns, severely criticizing the company's management structure.

December:

• Airbus launches the A350, with yet another revamp, including a composite plastic fuselage to match the 787. The airplane will be five years later than the 787.

• Lufthansa orders 20 new 747-8 passenger models, giving new life to Boeing's aging jumbo jet.

2007

January:

• The Air Force will release its final request for proposals on the long-delayed and contentious contract for air-refueling tankers, worth around $20 billion. Boeing competes against an Airbus airplane backed by Northrop Grumman.

• The Large Cargo Freighter begins ferrying 787 sections around the globe.

About April: Final assembly of the 787 begins in Everett.

Summer: The Air Force is scheduled to award the $20 billion contract for the air-refueling tanker.

End of June: Ceremonial rollout of the first 787.

End of August: First flight of the 787.

October: First delivery of the Airbus A380 superjumbo jet to Singapore Airlines.

2008

May: First delivery of the Boeing 787 to Japan's All Nippon Airways.