And the fun begins.....hope I never meet you lot in the pub!!
747Focal,
Why is there a value difference? Always thought the Brits made better engines. eg. Trent 800 sales compared to GE90 and PW4000.
There is a history in this industry of single engine choices for aircraft. I'm sure it goes back further but I can't think further back than the Tristar, which came with RB211s or RB211s. So not much of a choice there. Some people say that's the real reason that the aircraft wasn't as successful as it could be. We may never know.
How airlines buy aircraft now doesn't make much sence anymore. eg. By the time the A380s arrive, Emirates will operate 777-200/200ER/300s, A330-200s, A340-500/(maybe the 600) all with Trents. Recently the ex SIA A340-300s arrived bringing with them GEs. Very recently the 777-300ERs arrived, again GEs. They operate one PAX A310, GE, but 3 freighter A310s are due, PW powered. Eventually the A380s will arrive, and it'll be GP powered. What I'm getting at is, as someone said earlier, fleet commonality isn't important anymore.
And that's my two pence!
Cheers.