Surely if it allows better yields and also phasing out of a/c that are more costly to operate, it makes sense.

Not sure about the Prius analogy - are you saying the deferral of purchase price is a bigger factor? The leasing costs are all part of the operating profits equation, no question, but does anyone know how the A380 operating profits compare to the a/c it could be replacing?

Am I wrong in assuming they would be superior?

One of the reasons is probably to preserve capital.

Yes there 7th and 8th A380s MSN047 and MSN050 have both flown and are now stored in flightline hangers in Toulouse until MSN047 will be ferried in April and MSN050 in May. Before delivery in November and December 2010. After that will be MSN055 following in 2011 (First pics here: http://a380production.com/2009/09/5-4/ )
But of course we still have MSN027 and MSN029 both scheduled for delivery in October 09.

Oli, that was F, so where is E?

Based on what Qantas is doing then I think the answer to that question is yes. I'm sure Qantas would have crunched the numbers and picked the option that gives the best return.

OQE is in another outfitting hanger on the other side. There is a webcam which you can just make out a Qantas A380. It is here. But you can only see it being Qantas when it is dark.
OQE should come onto the flightline next week.

http://www.unser-wedel.de/X_webcambi...F40%7D&lang=de