Yeah, that payload is a joke for an aircraft that size. CX 777-300ERs will carry 55T+ with full pax and 20-25T in the bellies. Yes, I have seen this on HKG-LAX (ZFW 225T+) on several occasions.
The thing they don't tell you about the A380 is that it is not the MZFW that is limiting, it's actually a lack of volume in the bellies to get anything more than all the bags down there. That's why CX won't buy it, or so I'm told. Maybe this particular director thought I was a spy for Airbus.
