United Resumes 787 Flights

Dreamliners have some bad press to shake off

Boeing Co. 787 Dreamliner is poised to clear another hurdle in restoring its image as United Airlines, the only U.S. operator, resumes flights after the jet's battery flaws forced a three-month grounding.

United Flight 1 is scheduled to depart Houston at 11 a.m. local time en route to Chicago, where the airline and Boeing both have their headquarters. The passengers will include Boeing Chief Executive Officer Jim McNerney and Jeff Smisek, CEO of United parent United Continental Holdings Inc.

U.S. Dreamliner service gives Boeing a chance to buff the 787's reputation in the world's biggest aviation market after the first grounding of an entire fleet type since 1979. Qatar Airways Ltd., Ethiopian Airlines Enterprise and Air India Ltd. are the only carriers whose 787s are flying commercially again.