The airline ordered the A380s in 2000 before the Boeing 777-300ER, the larger long-range version of the plane, was available…
More absolute
Bull---$hit from Creedy (fed no doubt by QF spinmeisters);
Boeing launched its 777-X (bigger/longer range) program in Feb 2000…
The first Ten 300ER's were ordered (by Air France) in OCT 2000…
Boeing: The Boeing 777 Program Background
Qantas announced its order for the A3XX on Nov 29th 2000
http://http://www.eads.com/eads/int/en/news/press.818df84f-38b1-4ec2-b189-17a9a9b42d7d.70472f39-dd6f-4428-a792-91d82cb9791b.html