Having a look at some A330 leasing rates you can see why he is so vocal in terms of its financial inefficiency. At the time Virgin signed the contract they were at an absolute premium of $1m a month. They now go for 30% less. It was obviously nothing more than a pissing contest at the time.
787-9 is cheaper to lease also. So 6x787s they could essentially lease for a lot less dollars compared to what they lease the current 330 fleet for. Plus bank the savings in fuel and loading efficiency.
Plus they can sell off the 777 fleet for what 100m a pop. 1x787 for Haneda and 5 to maintain LA.
That’s a lot of cost they will pull out.
They didn't expect it to mprove due to factors like the dearest 777 leases in the world
They own 4/5 Triples and they are long paid off.