Originally Posted by JDiver
Aside from market and partnership issues: I'm pretty sure AA could fly a 777-223ER LAX-SYD without any required deviation from great circle routing under ETOPS-180 (assuming favorable winds aloft,) but what about range and load factors? I assume with 6507 nm distance (ORD-DEL is 6503 nm), it wouldn't be a big deal, but does anyone have the definitive information about the feasibility of a 777-223ER on that route?
Dunno for certain, but according to Boeing, the 777-200ER has a max range of 7730 nm while the 747-400 has a max range of 7260 nm. Even the 747-400ER has a max range of only 7670 nm. With a max range greater than that of the 744s flown by UA and QF, I assume the 777 wouldn't suffer any greater load penalties than UA and QF suffer.
Yes, engine choice generally account for small variations in range/payload capability, but the 777-223ER could do it.
http://www.boeing.com/commercial/products.html
As to why AA doesn't fly to Australia - as mentioned by others, because QF specializes in USA-Australia flying. If AA thought it could do it profitably - I assume AA would be flying it. Only benefit of AA metal would be upgrades.