"the 340 is more efficient and cheaper to operate". .. .I am going to have to disagree with that statement, at least partially. It makes a bit of difference which engine you got strapped on the wings!!! A 777 with a pair of Rolls Royce Trents will outperform the A340 handily and take advantage of the higher cruise speed that the 777 is capable of. I am making an assumption that Heavens Gate had a pair of GE90s on his a/c. That means he would be getting the short end of the bargain, as they are about 6,000 pounds heavier per set than the Rolls, and its giant size induces more drag.. .As for the "improved" A340-500&600, Boeing has its own set of improvements for the 777-200LR&300ER, but Airbus is doing better in sales so far, because of doubts about the new GE90-115b that will exclusively power the new 777 models, and their unusually high list prices does not help either.