Singapore Air Orders Jets Worth $8.6 Billion : Aerospace: Boeing will get the lion’s share of the orders, but the airline also ordered MD-11s from McDonnell Douglas

Singapore Airlines, a growing carrier known for its high-quality service, said Tuesday that it has ordered $8.6 billion worth of new aircraft from Boeing and McDonnell Douglas.

Though Boeing stands to get the biggest share of Singapore’s business, the order is significant for McDonnell Douglas because it gains a new customer.

Singapore’s current fleet consists of aircraft made by Boeing and Airbus Industrie, the European consortium. But Singapore said it decided to order McDonnell Douglas MD-11s because Boeing’s long-range jets were too large for certain flights between Singapore and Europe.

The carrier also pointed out that its international marketing partners, Swissair and Delta Air Lines, have placed large orders for the MD-11. The airlines believe that there are competitive advantages to using the same type of aircraft.

Singapore said it ordered five MD-11s and took options on 15 more, worth $3.1 billion if all options are exercised. The order makes Singapore Air the third-largest customer for the MD-11, behind American Airlines and Delta.

Singapore Air said it ordered 15 Boeing 747-400 jumbo jets, and took options on 15 others. The Boeing order, including options, is worth $5.5 billion, according to Singapore Air.

Singapore said that aircraft from both manufacturers would be delivered between 1994 and 1999.

If Singapore takes delivery of all the aircraft, the size of its 39-plane fleet would more than double to 89. However, Singapore said the new aircraft would be used to replace older models as well as for expansion, primarily in Europe and Asia. The airline currently offers limited service to the United States, flying only to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Honolulu.

Bob Candiotti, a spokesman for Singapore Air, said the airline plans to seek authority to land in either Chicago, New York or Washington. He said the carrier also plans to begin transatlantic service, possibly later this year, with a flight between Toronto and Vienna.

Though Singapore’s presence in the United States is minimal, it is well known to international travelers for its high level of service, and it consistently ranks among the world’s top airlines on customer surveys. Its flight attendants, for example, address passengers by name.

Singapore said it would deploy some of the new aircraft on its European flights, although it didn’t specify which destinations. It said that the smaller MD-11 was better suited for new service, where the size of the potential market is uncertain.