WRT the discussion as to whether the A350 is a worthwhile investment, keep in mind that the individual aircraft will, if EI are true to form, be in the fleet for roughly 15 years.
You can't base those types of long term investment decisions on current market conditions. As senior manager, you get the best information you can, listen to as many opinions as you can and finally you make a best guess.
I do agree that a smaller aircraft below the A320 is probably an option on a number of routes and that in the short to medium term, A319's are the most likely best investment given the commonality, which will provide 'leverage' of the existing investment in A320 family support and training.
If EI can get the right mix of pricing and service provision on their T/A routes then I think RE have a unique opportunity (in business parlance a Competitive Advantage) in selling inter-lining to the long haul network. Keep in mind that there are only limited number of airports in Britain that provide T/A routing and those outside of London have a limited route network.
JAS