Originally Posted by
rapidex
Agreed, but the B787/8/9 have ongoing engine problems, and BA are so short of Aircraft and or crew they are wet leasing in aircraft, and leasing out slots. Not the climate for retiring aircraft in the next year.
I honestly fail to see your point! Even assuming that the 787 engine problem is going to continue beyond the summer (which RR is betting that it isn't, but we all know how much a RR bet is worth), and even assuming that no new wet leases can be done, or that no new planes are to be sourced and the older Mid-Js are to be kept going for another year, it doesn't mean that the IFE can be justified, or that the downtime for these planes can be found so that they can be fitted with a new piece of equipment.
The thing is, these 747s are going because they are close to reaching the number of cycles that BA deems to be maximum for their lifespan, or because they're about to require a heavy (C2, or D) check that represents an investment too high for a machine which will then have to be phased out after a short time of flying. You cannot extend their life forever.