Folks,
One thing in the 7X favour, that I have not seen mentioned, is the fact that it is the only aircraft in the class which is a tri-jet, with all that implies for EDTO (and, if the very rare event occurred, a two-engine ferry)
And these are really good aircraft, and sometimes selection is based on other than cheapest available. Airline economics it ain't.
If I was a Commonwealth politician, I would be very happy with the choice.
As a taxpayer, the difference with comparable aircraft is chickenfeed
I can still remember the veritable explosions following Big Mal Frazer's BAC 111 having an engine failure in the middle of the Tasman.
I know the B737 is a "twin", and of course I know all the stats., but I also know a lot of pollies ---- for those wot can afford it, it is why an A-340 is a popular aircraft with lesser heads of state --- at least "common sense" here avoided going down that path, years ago.
Tootle pip!!