<It may not happen for a year or two but the writing is on the wall for the 747, wonderful aeroplane that it is.>
Yes absolutely right, but the mantle will go not to the 777, but the new Queen of the skies, the A380 (which BA is determined not to buy). The cabin crew always say they dislike the 777 because of the atmosphere and the movement. Pilots opinions are irrelevant. The 747 has had its time (first flight 1969), but people keep quoting fuel consumptions between the types for something that is not a direct comparison- like saying the 767 uses less fuel than a 777- so what? There's more to it. The popularity of the 777 relies on it not going swimming. ETOPS is all very well and highly efficient, as long as you don't lose one. A SH aeroplane will dive into the nearest suitable airfield- you don't have many options 1/3 of the way back from Barbados. That's where you are carefree in a 747!