Great find! I just knew there had to be trials going on with those enhanced digEs (and I suspect on more than one airline). Funny how in the replies to what appears to be a ThomsonFly employee`s ``unauthorized announcement`` they complain about the small quantities to be made available during a TRIAL!

Did a quick count on Thomsonfly`s fleet/seats. 43 planes, with 131 to 328 seats each. If they ultimately decided to go with the digE, but only put on 50 per plane (meaning another 25 in rotation), that`s 3225 digEs. Hard to ``assure`` this without knowing how many are dedicated to (conducive) long flights, and how many for short duration flights. The ultimate ``number`` would definitely be smaller, IMO.

``Hearing`` the comments/replies to that ``unauthorized announcement`` suggests there may be a desire/need, if the trial is successful, to offer more digEs to business class (more than the 19 per this trial info). They`ve got about 10,000 seats to fill. Guestimating 75% occucancy rate, that factor`s down to 7,500 passengers. Take up is really hard to guess, especially without knowing how many planes are dedicated to (conducive) long flights and how many for short duration flights where the digE would be impractical, but say 20% (as RyanAir enjoyed for a while). (7500 X .20) X 1.5 (for those in rotation) = 2,250 digEs (and I have to think that number may be too high as well).

So, assuming the trials are successful, we`re probably looking for an order of 1,500 to 3,000 digEs.

1,500 X $635 = $ 952,500

3,000 X $635 = $1,905,000

But I KNOW nuttin`!

SGE