Originally Posted by
dixi188
What I mean is, why would you want extra tanks in the 787 if it can do 10,000NM anyway?
Bingo!
Something like 99% of the worldwide city pairs require less than 10,000nm of range. Even for a billionaire, is it really worthwhile to spend a bunch of money to cover that last 1% - which you'll probably never fly anyway? And if you do, even a billionaire is limited in how much they'll pay just to avoid a 30 minute fuel stop somewhere.
The VIP 737BBJ came standard with extra range - but the basic 737 doesn't have particularly long legs, so the extra range was rather desirable. Not so much with the 10,000 mile capable 787.
I'm sure if someone like Elon Musk said he absolutely had to have another 1,000 miles range before he'd buy a 787 as his personal toy, someone would spend the millions to develop it. But I wouldn't hold my breath. People don't become that rich spending money foolishly.