747s got one major thing going for them, they're dirt cheap. You can buy a lot of gas, overhaul a lot of engines for what a brand new 777F costs. There will always be a market for brand new top-of-the-line freighters which is why Boeing is marketing the 777-8F even before production begins. But ultimately they may only see room in the market as air freight expands or as old airframes time out and at major outfits that have the resources to pay top dollar. Atlas is one of those top dogs and Apollo brings with them an ocean of money to place orders, but they'll always be compared to a 20 year old 747-400 that's been paid off for 15 years and even a D check costs less than the downpayment for a 777.