What they said

"Our journey began some six years ago when we knew we were on the cusp of delivering valuable new technologies that would make an economic difference to our airline customers. In our business, that happens every 15 years or so, so you've got to get it right."

-- Mike Bair, vice president and general manager of the 787 program, to the Everett crowd

"Today is a great day in aviation history. Whenever such a milestone is reached in our industry, it is always a reflection of hard work by dedicated people inspired by the wonder of flight."

-- Airbus co-CEO Louis Gallois, in a letter to Boeing CEO Jim McNerney

"I just was so moved, I started to cry. ... We raised four children [who are] Boeing employees. It's a wonderful company to work for."

-- Kay Hancock, with her husband, Harold, at Qwest Field. He worked at the Boeing plant in Auburn for 44 years before retiring in 2002.

"Who was that rock 'n' roll guy? It was Dick Clark. Dick Clark was at the last one [the 777 rollout in 1994]. This was almost as good as that. I still like Dick Clark better."

-- Robert Davis, who retired in 2003 after 24 years at Boeing

"Oh Lord, yes, yes indeed."

-- Josie Dunn, at Qwest Field, when asked if she was excited about the event. Dunn is a retired "Rosie the Riveter" who worked at Boeing for 50 years, starting during World War II.

"I hope it provides a lot of job security for the employees. ... I hope that it makes The Boeing Company rich."

-- Barbara Abbott, a retired machinist who fondly remembers the 747 launch in 1968, when other employees were on top of the building making bets on whether the massive plane would get off the ground.

Caroline Davis and Erik Ball, Seattle Times business reporters.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.