Originally Posted by
Sixth Freedom
Agreed.
But what the world's airlines might not have accounted for is whether or not they can charge a premium to passengers, or at least certain specific market segments, for travel on the 748 and whether or not this is sufficient to cover the extra FOCs and DOCs.
Experience with the 380, e.g. SQ (not suites, but business), might suggest that they might get away with it.
I think the huge difference is that the 380 is a completely new type of plane, different to anything in the sky. The 747 has been flying for 40 odd years. I think you would be hard pushed for anything but absolute die hards to want to pay a premium.