Did we cancel those 8 A380s or just defer them? The Qantas website says they're deferred but still on order.
Hi Keg, as one of the launch customers, QF couldn't publicly say that they were cancelling the last eight - Airbus wouldn't sell another one after that. Publicly, they are deferred but in reality they are cancelled. A380 #13 & #14 were already fitted out in the airline specific configuration and the second simulator was complete and about to be shipped so the costs to cancel these would have been huge - you wouldn't take that sort of financial hit unless there was no intention to take the remaining aircraft.
I believe the seat mile costs of the B777-9/B787-9 fleets would be lower than the A350/A330NEO combined fleets. the B777-9 is also larger so would be a better size to replace the A380.
I agree that the A320NEO would be a good replacement for the B738 with its lower fuel burn and immensely greater passenger appeal.