Originally Posted by
rkkwan
But with the significantly lower operating cost for the 789, may be it can get competitive. I don't think it absolutely needs a big plane to run these routes - Air NZ flies 772ER, and AC will start their own with 772LR.
...and the 789 will have much better operating economics than either of those airplanes. It's been shown in other places that airlines could realistically expect to operate 2 789 flights in place of one A388 flight with the same operating costs. That means CO just bought 8.5 new 500+ seat airplanes they could operate SYD with.
Of course, SYD is such a poor yielding destination I'm not sure what the appeal there would be. CO wants J-heavy routes wherever they can find them, unless they feel the need to defend themselves in a popular Y market. SYD doesn't fall into either category though, unfortunately. Never say never...but don't say soon.
