Part 10/11:
The Airbus A380 was both ahead of its time and a reflection of a particular vision of air travel that never fully materialized in the North American context. Its story is a complex interplay of technological ambition, shifting market dynamics, and operational priorities that American airlines rightly assessed as inconsistent with their needs. While the A380 may not have reshaped the American airline landscape as envisioned, its technological legacy continues to influence future designs, with many of its innovations incorporated into newer models.