No, BA, AA, JL and NH (iro HND) aren't buying 748s
A380 line in danger of being closed https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...s-aren-t-found

Besides, if the planes are full, there's a super-easy solution for BA/CX: add 40 more seats :

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...s-per-row.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...ly-2018-a.html

The 748 has proven to be a flop with even Boeing writing it out of its future plans. The small increase in passengers over a 77W is not worth the cost of flying two additional engines around. It can carry ~10% more passengers but burns around 20% more fuel than a 77W.

I do understand the fuel part, but one must take inconsideration that airlines and airports work within a finite number of slots, most if not all are already taken.

They can't spend billions on a 748 fleet for two or three routes, and the 77W is perfectly acceptable. Meeting demand exactly with supply isn't always the best option, look at the yields on the three routes you mentioned. Fares are astronomical.

Looks like LRR is on its way to Hong Kong

updated, thx

Question on route details
 

I've made some updates, questions for those more in the know:

1.) Is BCN still seasonal only service (terminating in Oct, 2017)?
2.) IS Christchurch still only scheduled for seasonal service, just ~3 months Dec-Feb?
3.) Any other chances we're missing?

HNK in new Spirit of HK livery
HKX left the fleet
Remarks: HLF is grounded in Hong Kong.

Do you know why? It hasn't flown in months.

Maintenance

Hi all, may I know if Cathay is still taking up those five ex-EK Boeing 777-300s (non ER version)?

300s
 

I was wondering the same thing. Possible I guess that a decision hasn't been made given the strategic review. I assume CX has/will have surplus 300ERs (to be fitted with 10 abreast in Y) and 330s given the 350 900/1000s rapidly being deployed. And it is not that long until the 9x is available and I assume these will be utilised on short haul/high capacity routes alongside long-haul.

It's already been announced in the April issue of The Journey that CX still plans on taking the 5 773's from EK. They're actually stored at the moment. EK has actually reduced their 773A fleet size to just 4.

The 5 773A's coming in will be the first to get the new 3-4-3 layout.

In regards to the 77W, CX is actually planning to return 15 frames to the lessor.

Do you know the timeframe for this? The operating leases expire at a very slow pace; only 1 in 2018, 2 in 2019, 5 in 2021 and 15 "2022 and beyond".

do you have any color if this will coincide with the 777X deliveries? Or will the 77W returns be significantly before then?

And, of the returned birds, I *presume* these are 77H? Because they're the older ones? Which sucks because those are the F birds.

I cannot say enough how much I dislike 77G. I think 77H is better not only because of F, but I like the setup of the J class cabin as well and service flows. I don't know exactly why, but I know that crews don't like 77G either.