Originally Posted by
Andy_S
Agreed. There are a number of questionable assumptions on the need for the A380 and suggesting it's the only option for moving larger numbers of passengers is one of them.
Another possibility is that airlines will simply bypass the hub to hub model by operating more flights to regional airports.
This is happening already with Narita - Boston route and Virgin want to fly London - Hawaii and there are many more similar examples. These 'thin routes' can be served by direct non-hub flights if the demand is there and both A and B have aircraft that can fly direct from anywhere to anywhere. This siphons off pax that would otherwise go through the hubs who do not want the extra hub layover delays with the attendant risks of flights being missed or luggage lost.