FWIW, I was always of the opinion about the only airline that could really make use of the carrying-capacity of the A380 was Japan Air Lines, with a Japanese domestic version seating 625-650 pax used as a replacement for their domestic version of the 747-400. However, the A380 is noticably absent from the JAL fleet.
I just don't see the numbers of A380s in service growing at the rate necessary to ensure it is a commercial success for Airbus, but then again "nothing impedes the progress of science as the right idea at the wrong time".
I guess the 777-9 series is a pretty hard act to follow, and the 787 makes a dandy 767/A330 replacement. My guess is the 747-8 is way too late for the passenger market but will make a fine freighter. I also think the real battlefield will be the 737 Max versus the A320Neo, given the popularity and versatility of the 737-sized airliner.
The A380 is almost too much of a good thing. Wonder how much the freighter conversion will cost?