The 777HD is deployed on routes where our standard model is not optimal.
Take YUL-CDG as an example. We were the #3 or #4 player in the market. The market leader uses 9 abreast 16" seats in Y and a 7 abreast 34-35" "PY" product (no alliance/FF benefits/no connectivity/no airbridge at CDG. The #2 player is a full service network carrier that treats YUL like a Caribbean charter market. They switch equipment every season and send a 468 seat 77W to YUL every summer. This "premium" carrier continues to offer a 15 year-old angle flat product in J at 7 abreast. The #3 player send a 533 seat 744 to YUL (highest density 744 flying into Canada). The market is telling us loud and clear what is sustainable.
We're responding with our 777HD which features numerous passenger cabin/seating choices:
state of the art IFE system
fully flat J product identical to LX/OS/SN/some DL acft with 6 single seats (soon to be reserved for top tier/paid J) 1:18 lav ratio which is better than a lot of 4* carriers
best PY product offering of any NA carrier @ 38" pitch
Y+ seating options in Y
Y product that is comparable to BA 744 AF/KL 744 77W and lav ratio comparable to CX
Our 349 seat 77W on this route was not providing a ROIC high enough to justify any future investment/growth
With YULCDG being the 2nd largest international route to/from Canada we felt it necessary to design a product that would position us to win and grow in this very important market