WyomingPilot,
Maybe I'm missing a point in your post, but from what I'm getting from you, your concern is that EK is trying to fill 120 A380's into the U.S. and Canada.
That's simply not going to happen. Why did EK put the 380 on Toronto and not leave the 777? Frequency of service. Give it 7 day service, I doubt the 380 stays on Toronto. Add frequency into and out of Canada, 380 won't stay on those routes. Frequency disperses loads out of one city to several, 777 steps in. JFK and Toronto are about the limit to the 380. Much further than that, you really start limiting cargo, which is huge for EK. Weigh that against premium passengers (12 FC and 76 Business on 380 vs 8 FC and 42 Business 777) and it's a crap shoot that no real pilot at EK has the figures for because cargo and premium obviously vary season to season, day to day, and their is no real way anyone will know what those numbers of profit/break even points are here, to closely guarded. The 380 is on JFK due to premium, but it cannot carry the cargo to same destination as 777, that and the fuel loads are completely different. You are talking 99 tons of fuel, versus 130 (or so) but a crap load less cargo on JFK when comparing 380 to 777. Selling point is the expensive freaking FC and Business capacity 380 brings versus 777. You won't see a "crushing" of 380 flights to the states, simply because it won't be economical, particularly if the price of Jet A rises.
North America is a prime market for the states. EK has a very high load factor this year, which can be confirmed via IATA. The 380 right now has HUGE potential within Europe, Asia, and India for EK. Our loads there are HUGE. 9 hour flight, fully loaded on 380 dominates a 9 hour 777 fully loaded, particularly with premium fares. EK will use the 380 not primarily on N American flights, but look for them in the subcontinent, Europe, Asia.
Plus, look at the bigger picture. The 120, again, is not for North America. It's a game. First off, the order is to force Boeing into 777 changes that EK is demanding (i.e., whipsaw). Secondly, it's to gain landing rights into Germany, France, Italy, etc. Think about it, Germany says no to EK to operating into Berlin, fine. EK says cancel 30 A380's and put german's out of work. It's freaking politics man. It's not about filling loads to N America with the 380 at all. Bigger picture. There's more traffic into and out of Middle East, Subcontinent, Asia (and Africa, although obviously many many upgrades in Africa needs to be made for 380 to operate) than N America. We have 5 destinations into N America. N America is a big target, but it's not our prime target. Look at the potential expansion plans and destinations in Europe, Asia, etc. South America will also see some expansion as well. Again, it's all politics for the 380, but don't just focus on EK with N America, that's not where the 380 is designed for, and the 380 can definitely support the loads out of the middle east to said prior destinations. But, again, looking at big picture, that will require an airport change as well. We cannot operate at the said A/C movements out of DXB, not with FlyDubai expanding, etc. They will have to move to Al Maktoum or where ever. Whether or not they actually take 120 is irrelevant, it's the political BS that goes into each country with 380's that they are manipulating to gain access to Europe, etc. Again, don't expect the 380 to "bombard" N America. That will still stay, primarily, a boeing route. 380 will also replace numerous 330/340 A/C. Adding seats, yet simply replacing A/C. 380 obviously more economicaly than 340. 380 orders could also be deferred to 350 orders, which EK will take a lot of. It's about wrapping up money into Airbus and EU governments to secure the cheapest structure out there, plain and simple. The 380 operating into and out of N America to EK are really just a small part of the bigger picture.
My two cents.
