[funnelsgun]

Boeing could have chosen to compete with the A380 and built their own Superjumbo, but they chose not to, instead working on the Dreamliner.

The 744, which was the last update to the 747 to see large market penetration, wasn't all that cost effective either:

> with 70 percent of its seats occupied, used more than 95 percent of the fuel needed by a fully occupied 747

Yes, the A380 is more fuel efficient, and cost per seat is much lower, but I suspect with the exception of Emirates, most airlines did not need bigger planes. Other airlines such as BA, Quantas and Singapore bought A380s to replace their oldest 744s, but still have a lot of 744s in service that won't be replaced with A380s.

[jpatokal]

Qantas will be retiring all its 747s in the next few years as their replacements, a mix of A380s and 787s, come in.

[stephen_g]

I expect Qantas have all the A380s they’re going to get (twelve). They originally planned for 20, but their eight remaining orders are postponed indefinitely.

The 787 will be a big part of their strategy from here on in. Their first has finally entered service in the last month or two.

[FireBeyond]

> Quantas

Just as an FYI, it's Qantas, originally QANTAS - Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services.

[funnelsgun]

Sorry, I know this, should have got that right the first time!