They ordered them as the 747 is getting expensive to operate and Boeing "made them an offer they couldn't refuse"
If thats the case, why didn't they order them last September?
Perhaps you can tell us the "dirt cheap" price?
I mean, why bother with just 10 frames to replace 747's?
Sure they have A380's on order, but they wont be arriving till much later on (
circa 2012). Neither are they a 1-for-1 replacement of the 747-400 fleet.
By 2012, BA could have a sizeable 77W fleet, adequately replacing the bulk of its 747-400's. Heck, it could even order the 747-8I and still have enough in service before the first A380 arrives.
Whenever BA announces its next tranche of orders (assumed this year), I'd be highly surprised if the 77W didnt feature again.