Originally Posted by
3Cforme
The best plane argument needs to encompass not just seat count, cargo volume, range, acquisition cost and operating cost but also crew training and parts commonality. What can the 359+10 do that the 788/789/787-10 can't, relative to current and plausible routes in meaningful numbers on the UA network? Does that bring enough value to justify duplication?
It can do that I do not avoid it like the proverbial plague when having to travel in Y (which, admittedly, is rare, but does happen). 9-across on a 787 is just terrible.
What it can also do is that you do not depend on one manufacturer, and particularly not on one that had some of its types grounded in recent history.
