Originally Posted by
motytrah
Bet that as it may, both NW and Boeing firmly believe that the new cabin environment will fetch premium fares.
Maybe that was the original thinking, but in this environment it's simply hogwash.
Almost all passengers (even business passengers in this day and age) choose a flight based on price. They do not choose because the airplane offers bigger windows or might be more humid inside. These are not legitimate sales points.
The reality is that DL is standardizing its product; a 787 will no doubt offer the same hard product (seats, IFE, etc) as the 772 and the 764, and even the 744 and A330. And I'm sure that 772s ordered today will arrive with similar advances in interior environment.
The question for DL moving forward is how it best equips its fleet to achieve the international expansion it needs RIGHT NOW. 772s have been very cost-effective, and they have the added benefit that passengers really like them.
Why on earth should DL delay its plans for an aircraft that's as yet untested, and doesn't offer the capacity of the planes it actually wants?