Perhaps a little inaccurate. The Flight International article states that the likely deal is for "up to 50 A350s", and an unspecifired number of B777-200LRs. Also the trade-in deal was for A340-500s and the older B777-200s, (no mention of the A340-600s which are, after all, for a different job than the A345s). The Gulf News article says Emirates and Qatar may order up to 120 aircraft between them. I don't know where this rumour about half the A380 Captains coming from the 777 comes from. Probably the same place the rumour that a B777-300ER can carry a full load to JFK and do it burning 30 tonnes less fuel than a A345. (i.e. the planet Zog). There is a considerable money and time saving to be had CCQ'ing from the 340 and that is, as I understand it, the current plan. It may all change I'm sure, and certainly the chosen brethren with enough wusta are bound to move across to join the side-stick master race.
HUB
