Well, since this thread is alive again here's a question I've been wondering about. About how many airframes/routes are needed to open a viable widebody base?

In a different thread, Ugleeual mentioned that Denver might make a nice 787 base. I actually think it would too, but the only 787 international route out of there that I know of is to NRT (or WB intl for that matter). The field performance, modest size, and range of the -8 would fit DEN fairly well. Not nearly as much O&D traffic as our other hubs, but DEN is a great hub for transfers (far better than any other except perhaps IAH).

I'm not saying DEN is big enough right now to open a WB base of any sort. But if we do manage to expand NB flying there, I'm wondering if there is a tipping point at which a WB base becomes feasible. Thoughts?