Originally Posted by
TedToToe
I have wondered the same! Pure speculation but, many RR engine contracts are ‘Pay by the Hour’ and possibly have a guaranteed minimum payment, for example. In other words, the payment to RR would be the same even if the aircraft didn’t fly at all.
The RR 777s also have crew bunks don’t they? In case this is an issue (albeit unlikely with an entire F cabin available).
Where pax are carried, the 787 has by far the lowest required cabin crew contingent, which reduces cost even further.