The big problem with the Sonic Cruiser idea was simple enough- the cost of fuel.
The proposed 777-8LR has London-Sydney range with a decent payload, and would no doubt have a nich market, as the current 777-200LR does.
But the money is always going to be in heavily patronaged, medium length routes on which you can put a decent sized aircraft and fill it, without having to use to much fuel.
Range becomes a diminishing return because of the extra fuel-burn required just to caryy the fuel in the first place, and speeds above aroung .85 necessarily bring a penalty in burn, no matter how clever the design.
The A380 order book stands at about 260 and hasn't budged since it was launched (I think it's been a net reduction over the last couple of years) and 90 of those are for Emirates. if EK canceled, it would probably end the program.
It will never make a cent for Airbus.
Last edited by Wizofoz; 13th Jun 2012 at 02:30.