The A380 is a very efficient aeroplane compared to the older technology B744, however, it would be an extremely efficient aircraft if the wing & centre wing structure was designed and built for that fuselage size. It has been designed by Airbus with a capability to stretch the fuselage and consequently the wing and centre wing structure is much stronger (& heavier) than what ia required for the existing fuselage. The A380 has an empty weight approximately 80-100 tonne heavier than the B747-8I which effectively offsets its high technology efficiencies. I believe that the B747-8I is more efficient than the A380-800 but sometime in the future, the stretched A380 will be unbeatable.
Last edited by Going Boeing; 25th Oct 2008 at 11:24.