Acquisition costs of used B744 may be low, but there are numerous other factors that make such a purchase unattractive – especially when it’s a buyer’s market. Realistically, NW will keep its B744 fleet status quo or add a small number of new/used birds (perhaps exercising its two options). Eventually, when the company considers itself healthy enough & traffic within the Pacific arena picks up, NW will likely choose between the B777/A340 and shift current and future (perhaps DTW-HKG, DTW-ICN or – since we like to dream – LAX-SYD again) routes among the A332, B777/A340 and B744.