Although they are intended for different markets, they are competitors
in that each company has spent so much on development that they have
literally 'bet the company' on the success or failure of the A380 and
the 787.

Each manufacturer believes that every Airline sale of the newest models
will also include many of their other aircraft -- ones that have already
been amortized and are making a profit.

- John Ousterhout -


Dylan Smith wrote:
... in which case why the planet of hell are all the pundits discussing
the A380 and 7E7 as head-on competitors? If that is the case their roles
are completely orthoganol.