747s
Economics would be a big factor. We all know that pax loads are down across-the-board. It makes one wonder how much of a load factor is needed for a 747 to make money.
What's interesting are some of the passages in Hard Landing by Thomas Petzinger, Jr. He opines that even in the late '60s the widebodies were regarded as harmful. The airline bosses wanted them because they were the latest technology - and airline bosses loved technology - but the widebodies lost money.
I agree with you. For the sake of these aircraft alone, it would be sad to see American flag carriers not operate such magnificant examples of technology.