Remember that the 747 didn't have an easy time when production started as well. I remeber the when the test piolt took the 747 on it's first flight (this was an untested aircraft!), after he did the normal checks of the aircraft, he then barrel rolled the aircraft infront of the entire workforce who had gathered to watch this aircraft that had taken the company to near bankrupcy!!
I think Airbus pushed the A380 out too soon. It was hoping to remove the treat of the new 747 series that was comeing out. They have droped the ball on a couple of projects now (the A350 as noted) and haven't listened to customers as well as they should have.
I believe they will survive, but there will be a lot of pain and blood spilled (both in the company and politicaly) before they rival Boeing
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