New Jets

In your editorial “Battle of Technology” (Feb. 1) you said, “The new (Boeing) 747’s nearest wide-body competitor produced by the European consortium, Airbus Industrie, carries only about 300 passengers. . . .”

Actually, the nearest competitor is the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 which is currently under construction in Long Beach. This modern, wide-body will seat up to 405 passengers--and we are studying a “stretch” version which could carry even more people.

The European aircraft is still on the drawing boards, while ours will be flying in about 12 months.

NISSEN DAVIS

Director of Communication

McDonnell Douglas

Long Beach