I was absolutely engrossed by the 747 growing up. Didn't know why then, but I'm guessing it must be something about the proportion of the wings, the fuselage, the hump and the nose slant. That was the classic, or the -200 type.

Then came along the -300, with the stretched upperdeck, and that ratcheted the appeal of the form up a notch; that is until the -400 with its extended wingspan and added wingtips, which became, and still is, the pinnacle of the iconic shape of the jumbo.

To see a heavy 744 take off is an awesome sight: during rotation you see the ends of the wings strain slightly up as the nose gear leaves the ground, and then the moment before the central gears lift off it looks almost like the whole plane sags into the ground first before it reluctantly wafts up, all 391547 gazillion tonnes of metal and fuel. The curve of the wings at that point is a true sight of beauty in form and function at the moment of their perfect confluence.

Not having seen the A380 in action, I can't comment on how it makes me feel, but just looking at the proportion of its shape, I don't think it'll come anywhere close to the voluptuous grace of the 744. Bloated and stumpy are what comes first to mind...

Truly, size ain't everything.