Subsidies aside, the free market (a concept so dear to the average American) where almost every airline moves is showing that good deals always prevale, and they're not measured only by the price tag, or maintenance deals, but for other factors like:
-The builder's capacity to meet all its costumer orders, both in number and delivery planned timeline.
-The investments made on improving the existing products and the creation of new ones, using the latest technologies available.
-And probably one of the most important factors, the stability of the builder's outfit.
When a specific airline buys a new set of airframes they’ll have to be absolutely 100% sure their money is on the right horse, especially in these difficult times for the industry.
It’s a shame that Boeing is (and has been for some years) slowly skidding off track:
-The new planes look 30 years old, inside and out.
-Their stubbornness in not implementing new technologies like the FBW system, with given proofs of efficiency and security.
Hopefully the new and very nice 7E7 project will get Boeing back on track, if not for their own benefit at least for giving Airbus some healthy competition.
GD&L