Originally Posted by
Typhoonpilot
The A340-500 is not economical. It was when oil was $35/barrel or less, but the differentials between it and the 777 are huge. For the same mission the 777 can carry 10 tonnes more payload while burning 10 tonnes less fuel and will do it with a shorter flight time. There really is no competition.
For an East coast to China trip the 787 and A350 are too small. Yes, they can make the flight but the revenue potential is too small to make it very viable. The airplane that would be viable on the route is a 777-200LR. It can make it any time of the year with a full payload.
I would love to see USAirways get the route. They had an opportunity for a Japan route back in the mid 90s, but the union screwed it up for fear they would have to wet lease it out for a few years until they got the airplane to operate it themselves
Typhoonpilot
The 340-500 still makes more sense then buying a couple 777 for a sinlge route. All they have to do is buy say 2 500's and they will be flown by the 330 pilots(same type). Air Canada does this with Toronto-Hongkong, just two 500's that do that route specificaly.
It makes more sense then buying two 777LR's just to do that route. Even if the 777 is more economical