interesting reactions
Isn't this what the Dreamliner was supposed to be partly about? Both reducing cost per seat and increasing range at that aircraft size level so changing the opportunities for point to point.
I've always thought LGW was better located than LHR for a big wedge of SE and S London as well as Sussex and Kent, several million people in a relatively prosperous bit of real estate . Croydon to Heathrow is quite a schlepp. What proportion of economy traffic wants frequency and flexibility? Where's the trade off? Obviously the model assumes they can operate the equipment reliably.
By the way, don't confuse the lead in fares with the average. If the tariff is anything like the NAS European tariff it will soon bump up from £179. But there's still some headroom. And it is a nice plane if it works.
My hunch is NYC and FLL will do well but LAX won't, not enough consistent year round traffic from the target demographic. We shall see.