Maybe not pilotless, but probably less pilots. One in fact, with a triple redundant ground monitoring/oversight function coupled with more robust communication links. I don’t think the next generation aircraft could be pilotless. Pilotless is 25 more years away at least, if ever.
Losing one pilot would save maybe 3% of the total costs per year, but the hull cost would probably be 5% higher, along with a higher technology and perception risk. Still a pretty massive incentive...maybe 40 million of the 800-900 million operating cost over 70,000 hours life of the aeroplane. Add up the savings over 40 planes and you’re talking about a handy executive bonus plan right there.