Mr. McNerney has kept a low public profile since a Jan. 7 battery fire on a parked Japan Airlines Co.

WSJ: The Two Men Behind the 787

The Federal Aviation Administration has prohibited commercial, test and delivery flights of U.S.-registered 787s since twin lithium-ion battery incidents on Japan Airlines Co.

WSJ: Air India Flew Boeing 787s After 'Grounding'

Japan's two biggest airlines, Japan Airlines Systems Corp and All Nippon Airways Co Ltd, have expressed interest in a shorter-range model and are considered strong candidates for launch orders.

CNN: Airlines warming to Boeing 7E7 jet