The A380 is a piece of crap. I, and the guys that fly it have already written it off. Once it is loaded to it's MTOW (which is exceeded if full of fuel, pax and freight), its first altitude is only FL230. This is because it is so heavy and doesn't have the power to fly higher. After burning off about 40 tonnes then it can climb to FL280, then a further 40-50 tonnes it can get to FL340. These altitudes seriously comprimise the efficiency and speed of the aircraft. Every time we head from LAX to YSSY, we fly out higher and faster than the A380 which leaves about 40 mins before us, and every flight we overtake it at about FL360 whilst it is at about FL280. Furthermore, when we overtake it we have full fuel, pax (not so much anymore) and freight. The A380 is very limited in the 3 aforementioned, as it is an overweight plane. It's performance is severely comprimised by this weight limitation; part of the reason that the latest talk is that Jetstar will get all of the airbuses including the A380's.
On a shorter flight ie YSSY - HNL they would be much more efficient, just on long haul they are rubbish as they are always at MTOW. As for the handling, it was well documented that should the USA not being on the middle of the GFC, they'd tell Qantas to get stuffed. Bear in mind that Qantas is the most frequent international carrier through this airport. This is because of the problems the A380 poses on the ground. Being so large, it exceeds minimum safe distances when taxiing so the adjacent runway is shut down temporarily, the taxiways are shut down and even service vehicles have to wait for it. Furthermore, it needs an incredibly wide turning circle as there is no steering gear on the main gear (would add about 14 tonnes) which means it scuffs tyres and bends struts. It is expensive too, with its large wingspan engines 1 and 4 have no reverse thrust (weight saving and FOD risk) so it relies heavily on its brakes, engines 2 and 3 and aerodynamic devices like the spoilers. I could go on for hours on this but trust me, speak to any pilot who has come from the 474 and ask them what they think of it.
The above is from another forum in another place.
Never having flown a 380 let alone stepped inside of one, I was wondering if any of the ppruners here that have hands on experience with the 380 would agree with the above sentiments.