Seriously, how old is the Plane you're flying on?

Few people expect luxury while flying, but these days, even the basics seem to be in bad shape. It's not uncommon to find your tray table broken, the in-flight entertainment system not working and your seat cushion worn -- all of which can make you think, how old is this plane anyway?

(CNN.com) It won't be an issue for passengers who board the shiny new Boeing 787 Dreamliner when it enters commercial service -- perhaps sometime next year if everything goes smoothly during its testing period.

(Most Americans likely won't see the plane for a few years after that. Most Dreamliners have been ordered by airlines outside the United States.)

The fuel-efficient aircraft will boast all-new interiors with state-of-the-art lighting, bigger windows, roomier overhead bins, higher humidity levels in the passenger cabin and "more personal space," according to Boeing.

But for now, the reality for many U.S. air travelers is that most of their journeys take place on planes that have been in service for a decade or more and show it, though in ways that have no impact on their safety -- like worn interiors, broken creature comforts and less than spotless conditions.

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SOURCE: http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/02/01/planes.age.dreamliner/