Originally Posted by
Flytolive
Exactly, but you were trying to advocate for the A359 based on a 66 seat gap. What was the seat gap before UA turned the 777A into cattle cars and the 747-400s that had 374 seats? Heck they managed with that for 15 years.
And how profitable were we over those 15 years?
At the end of the day UAL will order what they order. Based on what they determine best suits their needs. 787/350/777 are all solid aircraft with each having pluses and minuses. Quality Airlines (ie.Singapore, Lufthansa, British Airways) around the world have ordered both for fleet replacement. So it just depends on what the need is. So to say the 787 blows the 350 away on cost and efficiency is hyperbole.
Check this out for some discussion on the fuel burns of the 787 vs 350. Consensus seems for shorter routes the 787 wins because the 787 is a lighter/smaller airframe, but for longer routes the 350 is a better aircraft because it can carry more payload then the 787 can.
https://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1403667