BeachRider

Three Reasons This Defense Cycle Is Different than Previous Cycles

I agree that fuel efficiency is a key aspect of the current technology push. Whether it is due to upsizing of aircraft to fly each passenger for lower cost (A380), substitution of non-enclosed turbofans for freight usage (A400M) or significant weight reduction to carry the same-number of folks (A350 or 787).
787 bring one more thing, though. By eliminating the aluminum from the airframe (unique to 787), they will run a higher-pressurized cabin with much higher humidity. Both of these will give a noticeably more comfortable ride.