Originally Posted by
sharmaintl
I see airline opting for multiple mid-size planes on mid-length thick routes to give more convenient options to pax. Larger aircraft only work on long thick routes, which are really few and far apart (DXB-JFK, SIN-LHR, NRT-FRA/LHR are a few examples of long think routes). IMHO, EU to US East Coast are mid-length thick routes. That's why I see 5+ IAD-LHR flight every day using one 747 (BA) and rest on 777 or 767s (BA and UA), rather than 1 or 2 A380s a day.
As mentioned in an earlier post, some airports like LHR and NRT has slot and capacity controls. SFO also has constraints for different reasons. Competing for pax under these constraints will drive the market in determining which a/c to use. In the meantime, I suspect A380 service at LAX will grow just because LAX has sheer volume from all kinds of travel markets. The A380 and for that matter, the 747-8I can also serve high volume tourist markets and special markets such as travel to the Haj. Mid-length thick and long thick markets and the airline's current market share make definite decision points in selecting a/c.
SQ does fly A380s to Zurich.