I initially thought that if this was available I too would take it. But my current flying habits suggest otherwise.

For example, door-to-door it takes me 30 minutes to BHX (Birmingham UK)check-in, and 90 minutes to Heathrow. Continental (I think) fly BHX-JFK, but I choose to drive to Heathrow for the BA Club beds, points, miles & service (in that order). All things being equal I would fly from BHX, but they seldom are. If other airlines fly the "sonic-jet" LHR-New York and BA put on a BHX-New York 757/767 (or Airbus equivelent), then I would probably still fly BA, as the door-to-door time would be similar. So the new boeing jet would need to be much, much faster for me. And then of course if the slower aircraft offered even more room, a walk-up bar, etc., I would probably still choose the slower flight. Hey, I like flying! If I've got good service and unless the door-to-door saving is more than say, 3 hours or 30% (which ever is less) of total journey time, I'm not that bothered. How many of you would forsake a 3hr flight for a 4hr flight if the latter was your preferred airline? And don't forget we business travellers are the main target consumer!

For me, this isn't a question of Boeing vs. Airbus, its about a trade-off between service and convienience. (I don't pick up the bill for my biz travel). So if the A380 can offer more "service" (e.g. room or amenities) due to lower cost per passanger/mile against a slightly quicker Boeing (Door-to-Door), then the Boeing has a tough fight.

Robert.

[This message has been edited by bulkhead (edited 03-30-2001).]