I know Boeing said the hiccups in the 787 are normal. Now with another fire on one in Boston, I am not so sure how comfortable I would feel to fly one. Am I being silly, or does any one else have the same misgivings I do?

Having flown a UA 787...I can't wait to fly on it again. The 787 is not a generation leap ahead but it is a half leap, as such, there are going to be issues. Kind of like buying the first model year of a car.

Statistical probability still means I have a much greater probability of dying or even just being injured by driving to work rather than flying to (or for) work or taking trains. As such, start up hiccups on the 787 or A380 won't alter my preference for air and rail over cars.

Additionally, incidents with planes have tended to result in investigations and investments that ultimately result in the elimination or reduction in the risk that caused the initial incident. 2012 was, after all, one of the safest years ever to fly, and in the case of the 787, Boeing has a huge financial incentive to get it right.

I have felt very fine indeed flying on it, but the recent incident at BOS would put me off booking another 787 flight until the cause is determined (and rectified) - if I were currently in a position to book such a flight.

Walk together, talk together all ye peoples of the earth. Then, and only then, shall ye have peace.

Nope. I have every confidence in the design and engineering teams at Boeing to fix these issues. The 787 will be a success, and it will just be as safe, if not safer, than any other modern commercial airliner.

Personally, I think that people having second thoughts about boarding the 787 are over-reacting. In the aftermath of QF32, the media here were on QF's back, reporting every small issue that occurs with its flights. Not once did I lose confidence in flying with QF. Likewise, in the aftermath of AF447, I did not hesitate to fly on board another A330.

Quoting UA787DEN (Reply 5):The Comets fell apart. 707s/DC-8s were a lot more dangerous than this thing.

As was the A320.

There were three very high profile crashes of the A320 during its first few years of service. People were aware of this, even before this "information age", and after maintenance delays, it was all we could do to keep people on the plane!

Just like the A320, the B787 will go on to become just another workhorse.