Crosscutter,
There is some merit in what you say. However do not forget about the "freebies" from Airbus due to the ongoing(at the time) delays with delivery of the 380. IIRC there was a handful of "free" 330s gifted to QF because of said delays. Those aircraft have well and truly paid for themselves(sic).
The blunder with the 200/300 Config; well that's another story.
