B777 @ 7,000kgs per hour x 10 hours = 70,000kgs
B747 @ 10,000kgs per hour x 10 hours = 100,000kgs
A380 @ 13,000 per hour x 10 hours = 130,000kgs
Hypothetical 10 hour sector -
Emirates Airlines Airbus A380-800 Version 1 489 PAX TOTAL
266 KG PER PAX
Emirates Airlines Boeing 777-300 3-Class (773) 440 PAX TOTAL
159 KG PER PAX
I realise that there are other factors including pax class configs/mix and freight revenue, BUT no matter which way you look at it the 773 is a winner. Why do you think EK has another 80 on order?
This is fuel burn savings alone. Ad in reduced capital/lease cost and less maintenance and it's obvious that there was a home for the 773 in QF
Reality is the dugong was the must have in the boys toy room and yes there are routes that really need 4 engines. BUT QF never needed the A380.