Exactly. Pity all those pilots that lost their jobs with airlines that have flown the 747. I'm sure that those airlines that have gone under, did so because they flew four engine aircraft. Maybe we should begin flying only one engine aircraft....think of the savings.
But when all those airlines were flying the 747, all their COMPETITORS were ALSO
flying 747s- note how many airlines have or are in the process of getting rid of the old girl entirely, and the current sales figures of two v four engined aircraft.
It was a great aeroplane in it's time, but it had four engines because there were no ETOPs when it was conceived, nor were their any engines with enough thrust to make it a twin.
EK seems to love the whale, and if it keeps making money, great.
But it does so in spite of having four engines, not because of it.