So the plane is in the air flying to Japan right now?
Also, I once found out that tons of the airframes are made but can't be considered 'complete' until they strap on the engines... so, there's a bunch of these in Washington sitting around waiting to be engined and delivered. Is this correct?
To date, 44 787's have completed final assembly with another 3 currently on the FAL and the 48th to start on the FAL in 2 days.
Of the 44 already off the FAL. 11 aircraft have already flown with one being delivered. The Remaining 10 aircraft include: 6 Owned by Boeing from testing (L/N 1-3 will be kept by Boeing, 4-6 will be sold eventually for BBJ's) and are still in active flight testing (4 RR and 2 GE's, GE still hasnt been certified yet), 2 are ANA's second/third 787 which are being prepared for delivery, and two are undergoing refurbishment in San Antonio for delivery.
That means 33 787's have yet to fly that are "complete". The majority of these aircraft do not have engines on them because of the taxes and fees that are apart of having them installed and the aircraft just sitting there. All 33 aircraft are also in final change incorporation/re-work. The next 787 off the line will be United's first aircraft followed by the first aircraft off the Charleston line for Air India.