Wino.
I totally disagree with your comment "So what did we learn?
The Boeings weren't damaged in the slightest, and the Airbus crashed... "
The two situations were totally different....speeds, size of wake vortecies etc were unknown on this first encounter. Remember the A300 was travelling fairly fast and encountered the wake from a very heavy 747 with a separation less than it should have been.
Both Airbus & Boeing design their tails to meet the same requirements and the NTSB have shown the A300s tail failed way past its ultimate load.
Both Airbus and Boeing produce very good aircraft and both very safe. Many argue that the Airbus has composite tail sections.....but so does B777 and so too will 7E7 and even so both manufacturers meet the same requirements laid out by the FAA and other authorities whether they have composite or 'good old metal' tails.
Healthy competition between Airbus & Boeing is good for both sides, but lets leave advantages/disadvantages to the marketing guys and not use scare tactics relating to safety to try to prove one is better than the other.
Both are great manufacturers, and the high levels of competition will only drive them on to better and more advanced aircraft which benefits all who have a interest and passion in flight.
