Originally Posted by Reroute

What makes you think the 777 is the "replacement " aircraft for a 787-8?

It could be a future 787-9 order with delivery dates in 2015, or a super premium 767-ER with winglets.

DAL has premerger orders for 31 777s, so even if you could convince the arbitrators that the 777 LR is a replacement for a much less capable 787-8, which has never flown, you'd still be at the back of a long line of premerger non replacement 777s. My guess is about 5 years after SOC before you can bid the 777.