Originally Posted by SAT Lawyer
Remember that increasing the number of engines increases the statistical likelihood of one engine failing. Moreover, it is my understanding that a dual engine failure on a four engine Boeing 747 with a passenger and cargo load of any significance would not permit the aircraft to retain its altitude.
However, a 747 with one engine lost can continue onto its destination safely (depending on cause of loss - if it's one of the events where engine loss is independent of having already lost an engine ) - so it's statistically more likely that you'll have to divert in a 777 if you lose an engine, since if they lose an engine, unless they are close to home, they're looking for someplace to land for a diversion to get the problem fixed. So the OP may be irrational from a safety case point of view, but not from an inconvenience point of view
