I Know that the BA were pushing for the 747Advanced , but this again this was before Mr Walsh showed up

Think this way: BA is happy with their B747-400 at the moment. They are due for replacement after 2010. So why make any statements now? BA is surely evaluating A380 and B747-8. There is no point in saying anything in advance. BA profits from the B747-8 anyways, because with the offer of Boeing in hand they can force Airbus to make better pricing.

When several airlines fly out of Heathrow with A380 to BA destinations, BA will surely have a problem, because the A380 is supposed to operate more efficient (and is by itself advertising as the B747 was years ago).

They will then either change business strategy and concentrate on high-yield people, or they will buy A380 themself. It is just not wise to say it now.

Imagine BA would have said mid this year that the will replace B747 with A380 and B777 (how I think it will go). The B747-8 launch would have been less likely or it would have been a pure freighter version (the final decision on the B747-8 is still due, their is no customer for the pax version yet). But now they can start long-term negotiations with Airbus and Boeing and make a good price for the A380.

If BA orders the A380 and the B747-8 doesn’t get the market, the A380 will become more pricy for airlines ordering it. 747-400 replacement will mostly take place between 2010 and 2020.