SLuca
My figures 744/346
Single class 660/475
Two class 496/440
Three class 412/380
As the 330/340 have less seats across the aircraft, they are less sensitive to increasing or decreasing the seat pitch than on a 744.
Fuel/pax/nm 0.050/0.046 (lower better)
Cannot agree with you over the cargo volume either, the 346 does offer more cargo per head.
I do not see the 346 as a 744 replacement, just a 743 replacement. I do see it as a replacement for a 744 where the sectors are not optimal for the 744, ie the 744 has lower passenger load factor for a specific city to city pair.
Whats the use of 600 seats if you cannot sell them for the frequency offered, except in japan on a domestic run.
Many airlines on long haul will take seats out in favour of cargo and fuel as the cargo will pay better than pax, requires no cabin crew, does not need food, does not need waste storage.
Z