Some years ago I attended the Farnborough airshow in England on business back when the A380 was first being introduced. I had the opportunity to walk right up to the nose and look up at it.

I have to admit it looked quite ugly from that perspective. Talk about a large, ungainly Gallic nose! Kinda reminded me of Gen. De Gaulle.....

However, Airbus then performed a flying demonstration with the A380. It looked almost graceful as it soared over the airfield in a series of choreographic banks and turns.

But I also have to admit that I find the new passenger version of Boeing 747-8 to be a very elegant and beautiful looking airplane.