Crap. Of course the A380 cannot land in every airport for commercially useful flights (taxiways, airbrigdes, facilities). But in case of emergency, it gets down on every field that accommodates a B747-400.
Surely not?
A380 has over 15 m extra wingspan. Therefore there are fields where 747 narrowly misses a fixed obstacle to wingtip, and A380 catches it. (Taxiway centerline distance is another matter, because you can close the taxiway for other planes while receiving A380).
A380 has about 2 m extra wheel track width. You can land 747-s at Rand airport (wheel track width 14,3 m will fit by 70 cm or so into the 15 m width of runway) but you cannot do the same stunt with A380.
A380 is way heavier than 747. The OEW is something like 280 tons for A380, 170 tons for 747. Sure, A380 has 20 wheels against the 16 of 747, but the total load still is bigger. There are bridges and swamps which 747 remains on top of, but A380 punches through.
With 4 engines and nice performance you don’t need to land as soon as possible.
Equally applicable to 747. But there are emergencies besides one engine nicely shut down.
At least, I understand that since A380 has local hydraulic systems (powered by electricity?), an A380 with all global hydraulics drained would have better control than the JAL 747, Sioux City DC10 or DHL A300.
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