Toulouse is where Airbus's final assembly plant for the 380 is. So that's why they're using it; it's like Boeing flying maiden flights out of Everett.
I'm no huge fan of Airbus, but I think it's great that this beast is finally flying. It's a huge technological achievement if nothing else. And I'd love to be there in person to see the monster fly.
}:-)4
Come to San Francisco in late 2006 and you might just see the A380-800 on Singapore Airlines' Flight 001/002 route between Singapore and San Francisco via Hong Kong--perhaps that airlines' most profitable route.