I flew AF A380 (JFK-CDG) in July 2011. There was no upper deck jet bridge to disembark at CDG, which meant a very long time aboard the aircraft for those upstairs, despite the fact there are fewer people upstairs (business class, PV and regular voyager). In fact, they used the forward boarding door to exit the aircraft, so we had to walk downstairs at the forward staircase and then out...near first class. I think it's faster to disembark the A380 from the lower level.

I was seated on the upper level...it's a quieter cabin, and the crew is more apt to let you roam up and downstairs IF you're seated upstairs.

There are no foot rests in economy. If you're seated in Premium Voyager, Affaires or first class, of course there are foot rests.