SAS Orders New Douglas Jets

Scandinavian Airlines System has placed a $1.4-billion order with McDonnell Douglas Corp. for 12 MD-11 wide-body jets, the future successor to the aircraft maker’s DC-10, the companies said today.

It is the biggest order ever placed by SAS and the biggest order for the MD-11 received by McDonnell Douglas. The St. Louis-based aerospace company has received two previous orders totaling 14 planes valued at about $1.5 billion. Aviation analysts have suggested the MD-11, which is still on the drawing board, represents the only major chance McDonnell Douglas has to remain competitive with industry leader Boeing Co. for the commercial aviation market.