Steve, to fly longer takes more fuel to carry the fuel you need.
For example, for every 1000 kgs extra of fuel you put on a -400 for a 14 hour sector, you'll arrive at destination with about an extra 600 kgs. ie. you burn about 40% of the fuel just to carry it.
Quite correct. Two seven hour sectors are much more fuel efficient than a single 14 hour sector. But an Anderson accountant would never know that. * [Of course there are other considerations. Landing fees, crew duty limits, handling fees etc.]
* Because an accountant would never know anyone who knows. They don't share, we don't share.
This is a big reason why the A380 is such a dog at its Max Range, hauling that extra 100 tonnes of metal structure over to LAX each day compared to a 747, let alone a 777, means it has to really stack the fuel on for the second half of the sector. But as the canny airlines are finding out, the A380 is pretty competitive at about the seven hour mark.
Anyway, sheesh, a Longhaul CEO who hasn't been around long enough for a ten year badge. The Shorthaul CEO, Class of 2001, only just makes that milestone, too. And all the while the real expertise is rapidly being pushed out the door.