Which will be the most popular plane on the runway?

Leaving on a jet plane?The problem with Boeing's new 787 and Airbus' A350 doesn't seem to be hacker concerns or lack of customers. It's getting planes to airlines fast enough.

Boeing and Airbus are racing to launch their newest technological wonders, but both seem to be wrestling with production issues.

The inaugural flights of the newest rivals (787 and A350) were scheduled for later this year, but it may be mid 2009 before anyone scores a seat on either plane.

The A380 Airbus flew from Singapore earlier this year, but it was more than 2 years late for its debut.

Scott Carson, president and chief executive of Boeing's commercial airplanes unit told AP News he was "deeply disappointed" by recent delays but believes Boeing can overcome the challenges. "When we have tested the technology and its application to this new family of airplanes, our confidence has only increased."

Both companies report a backlog of orders well past 2011. Together, the rivals have already presold almost 3,000 planes, which is staggering considering the problems plaguing production lines.

Does it matter who has more orders if they can't get the planes to the gate?

More importantly, will the planes be safe? I seem to remember a few other behemoths that pushed the limits...

Titanic or Hindenburg ring any bells?