they know that he likes the 777
..true. I would view this more as a public calculated attempt by VS to use the current issues with B787 delays to force Boeing into a position that they instead provide VS with some B777s in return for taking liability on some of the older B747s or A340s that they would, presumably, replace.
Admittedly fuel prices have drifted down somewhat since the heady heights of the summer, but they are still not cheap and one would assume that if VS had the ability to get into more efficient twinjets it would do so as quickly as possible....so much for 4 engines 4 long haul!
Something tells me, though, that Boeing aren't so daft to see this coming...