"The old design is also much more compact, much more ergonomical and economical to stow in a hanger bay...." 

Wonderful technical considerations...which 90% of the audience cares little or nothing about. It's all about the emotional impact of the visual. Next you'll be telling me that faeries are aerodynamically unstable. :-)

"Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H. L. Mencken