Just have a feeling that they've built this thing on the basis thats it's completely new when they've used lots of the 744 to keep costs down. They've spent a decade promoting another aircraft to replace the 744 and a zillion graphs and charts to show hub and spoke are dead and now they want the customers to start buying it?
Sounds like the 757 stretch that was also promoted as a wonderful new aircraft when it wasn't. It also got no buyers and was a flop. Can't see how they can convince airlines no aircraft bigger than the 744 will work in the "new world of aviation" and then turn around and try to sell this.
You have to wonder if they got too greedy from the easy money made on the 744 through the late 90's. If they had brought in the 747-800 in 2003-05 they may have had more success with it. Maybe they couldn't be bothered if the A380 was possibly going to get shelved then everyone would have bought 787 whatever the wait.
And they'd still be selling 744's for another 50 years.
Last edited by stillalbatross; 24th Nov 2009 at 01:14.