Apologies for butting in here, but question- TC has more than once responded to the question about 2-class A380 in EK saying that they have no plans and have not asked AB for it... is that article quoting him directly, or are they just speculating?
I recall back a couple years they were saying it was not viable to have 2 variants in the fleet and they weren't needed... is it because of the imminent re-shuffle of flying between 'fleets' on the CC side that they're now considering it, or just another rumour?
When you say 'regional' I'm assuming we're talking Asia/subcontinent where perhaps the F loads aren't that high and it's not needed... however I can't see much use for a 2 class going to the likes of JED... it's always crammed... unless of course they use a 2 class and replace the T7 or the 330 flights intra-gulf during peak periods. Can't see them needing more than a few 2 class though if that's the plan.... unless of course they know something we don't about India...?