The Boeing 787 Dreamliner taxies down the runway as it readies for its maiden flight at Paine Field, December 15, 2009. Boeing Co made the first test flight of its 787 Dreamliner on Tuesday, almost two and a half years after the new, fuel-efficient plane, which is key to the company's financial future, was supposed to fly. The lightweight carbon and titanium plane, promising to save airlines million of dollars in fuel and maintenance costs, has been hampered by a shortage of bolts, faulty design and a two-month strike, and it still has a long way to go before it proves to be a success. REUTERS/Robert Sorbo (UNITED STATES - Tags: TRANSPORT BUSINESS)