Boeing's long-awaited 787 Dreamliner will be officially delivered to Japan's All Nippon Airways after three years of delays.

Boeing said the Dreamliner's carbon fibre design will cut fuel consumption by as much as 20 percent, and give passengers a more comfortable ride with better cabin air and large electronically dimmable windows.

The fuel-efficient plane is also made from lightweight composite materials.

The $200m (£129m) Dreamliner was originally scheduled for delivery in 2008, but Boeing suffered a string of setbacks and consistent delays that cost the company billions of dollars.

The plane will enter service in October, with Boeing already having taken 821 orders for the Dreamliner, which will compete with the Airbus A350, due in 2013.

All Nippon Air, the world's ninth largest airline by revenue, has said that the plane could go 52 percent further than the metal-framed Boeing 767, while using 20 percent less fuel for the distance flown.

Boeing plans to make 10 planes per month from 2013.

It's reported the costs of the 787 Dreamliner programme has run up to $32bn due to delays, leading many people to question whether the 787 Dreamliner will make any money for Boeing.

Boeing is hoping a successful launch will help to repair any damage to the company's reputation due to the long delay and spiralling costs of the Dreamliner programme.

Boeing also faces Wall Street concerns over its ability to reach its target of lifting output to 10 planes a month by 2013. Production of the Dreamliner is currently at about 2.5 planes per month.

Seating a maximum of 290 passengers in the largest 787-9 version, the 787 is much smaller than Boeing's 747 jumbo jet. However, Boeing suggests that the new 787 planes will enable them to fly directly into smaller airports and therefore prove popular with airlines.

All Nippon Air intends to start flying its first 787 on a domestic route between Tokyo and Okayama-Hiroshima on 11 November.

It'll then put the plane on an international service from Tokyo to Frankfurt in Germany in January.

Germany