Originally Posted by
Panic Stations
The 787s aren't really a replacement for 747s, they're a replacement for the 767s and the older 777-200s and are the right capacity for that. The 777-300s and A380s currently in the pipeline are the first tranche of replacements for the 747s. With 12 of each in the pipeline that's 24 of the 50ish strong 747 fleet replaced with greater overall capacity. The next longhaul order is likely to be around 25 aircraft, either 777-X or A350, which will be direct replacements for the remaining 747s. Expansion can be serviced by delaying the exit from service date of each existing hull by a few months, leading to a rolling increase in capacity over current levels.
Exactly, I think it's just lazy reporting to suggest these aircraft are direct 747 replacements, they will be used to utilise the new BMI slots (and others freed up by 380 capacity potentially freeing up 747 slots), on new routes, as well as replace existing 767 services