'Bad negociators on both sides' seems to me about correct. But whilst we are arguing about staff travel and hot towels and the abilities of the negociators other things are happening, the world is moving on; taking order slots and pushing ahead.
Boeing 747 and Airbus A380 Aircraft News from Flightglobal
Think about an Emirates with 90 or thereabouts A380s and other airlines snapping up order options, pushing ahead and improving their market shares.
That's the real world out there.