I agree with you FIIGMO. I was browsing through the different airlines on AirlinePilotCentral and noticed our hubs and their hubs. It seems DAL's hubs are very much inferior to the new UAL in terms of O&D, and AMR's. I have always been of the school of thought that if your hub isn't strong in O&D, it isn't going to last as a hub or it is very costly. Think CVG.
You brought up the 787 and that is another area where if they acquire lots of them first, they will have a huge advantage.
One thing that chaps me is the lack of world wide internet. Gogo is cool, but it sucks that you can't use it on an international flight. Southwest, who at the time didn't fly international, went with a satellite based system.
According to APC, UAL upgraded all of their wide bodies to lay flat seats as well.
I thought DAL was leading, but now I think we are just keeping our head above water.