Originally Posted by akerosid
I would certainly have preferred the 787. My big concern about the A350 is that it's still an eight abreast aircraft whereas the 787, with a wider cabin, can be operated in a 9-abreast configuration, should EI wish to go down the long haul low cost route. The principal concern is that FR has signalled its intention to go down this route and if they were to do this, being a 738 customer already, the 787-8/9 would almost certainly be their choice and having discussed this on the Orders yahoo-group, the 787 at 9-abreast would kill the 350 on costs per seat/mile.
I wonder whether it would be possible to fit 9-abreast in the A350 using
this new staggered seat design? The manufacturers suggest that it can make a 9-abreast 777 into a 10-abreast configuration for equivalent comfort.