Fliion you are absolutely correct.
Wiz,
You almost got there, but your math let you down. Since you used the actual DOW for the Boeing, maybe it should be used for the Bus as well. Wouldn't it look like this;
213.6 - 176.8 = 36.8t not 41t. The extra 200nm would be 25min, so 4t fuel, which would take the 777 to MTOW, so carrying 36.8t to LAX for 128.9t burn, or as you worked out now 3.5t/t.
The Bus carried 52t and burnt 201.3. But it was 11t under TOW. So chuck on another 7t revenue and 4t fuel, so 59t carried for 205.3, or 3.47t/t.
Do you think those in charge of route development might have some idea of their craft? The bus carries 57% more for the same fuel/kg on long sectors. So does the 748i.
To put it another way, the Bus is carrying 85% of its zfw to LAX while the 777 carries only 60% of its own.
Now nolimitholdem, you can put your fingers in your ears and chant na na na na as much as you like, but guess which one carries your precious cargo?
The Boeing does burn less kg/kg and carry more cargo to all Indian destinations though.
The Don