From the same article the reason he can make such a comment is he has made big cuts in staff costs. Look at the articles from last year the crew had to undertake a pay freeze and sign up for 30% lower than the 744 rates to get the 787.
“Obviously the maintenance and fuel costs are good on the 787, but we also have a deal with our pilots to give ourselves 30% more productivity on the airplane," Joyce said. "It's the same deal with the cabin crews and our engineers. That means the economics are a lot better than the A380."
So there you have it, he has said the economics are better than the A380 because he cut the staff costs.
Now that’s just bull**** right there.
I love this 30% figure plucked from the fundamental orifice.
It’s certainly lower than the 747 rate. As it always should have been given remuneration has historically been based on the size of the aircraft.
Fact is, the dollars on the 787 are a lot better than the similarly sized 767 and ball park on the 330. Given the A330 was itself based on 747-300 plus 3% then it was an aberration anyway.
Just because AJ spruiks bullsh1t to keep the media happy does not make it a fact.