Originally Posted by
ashill
What I don't get about these comments about how Boeing has blown it by not having the 359ULR beat is that there isn't even much demand for the 777-200LR. I'm sure AIrbus will sell a few to do SIN-JFK, SYD-LHR, or SYD-JFK, but the 777-200LR experience shows that there just isn't that big a space for these ultra long haul planes (even though it blows the A340 variants out of the water in cost, AFAIK). The 777-300ER, on the other hand, has sold very well. There just aren't that many city pairs that are outside the range of a 777-300ER that are opened up by a -200LR, and there aren't many more that a 777-8 or 359ULR will add.
The 359ULR is actually just a MTOW weight increase (I think 5T), allowing full tanks, and will likely be flown in configurations with slightly less seats. Do I expect it to sell 300 frames? No. But I do think its commonality with the A359 will help drive some sales of both planes, and help cement some Airbus sales. I just think the 778 is too big for the ULR missions it is projected for, but with that extra capacity will have too high of fuel burn on the much larger group of shorter range flights (think 5500-6500 sm flights) that airlines need planes for.
The result is that Boeing is likely to end up with a whole in its line up between the shorter range B787-10 and the very much bigger 779.