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The MD-12X- formerly known as the MD-11 Stretch - is a logical development of the MD-11. It could conceivably compete with the 747 for sales and with the Panorama deck could seat an unprecedented 619 economy class passengers.
Update — McDonnell Douglas MD-11/12
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McDonnell Douglas MD-11/12
On January 10, 1990, the first McDonnell Douglas MD-11 completed its maiden flight from Long Beach, California. This was an important step in the development of what is set to become an important airliner, and launched a comprehensive flight test program aimed at receiving FAA certification by November this year and entry into airline service by early 1991. When this is achieved, it will be the culmination of the MD-11 development program- officially launched on 30 December 1986-which has sought to vastly improve the DC-10 airframe and, indeed, create a new airliner from it.
The development of an airliner based on the DC-10 had been long anticipated prior to the program’s formal announcement, and indeed made sense. The DC-10 was and indeed still is-an airliner well respected within the aviation industry. It offered good economical performance and a reasonable safety record (marred, unfortunately, on more than one occasion by human error. ) Development of a new airliner using the basic DC-10 air-frame would also as MDC has since proven, be effective, cutting substantially development costs. Being based on the DC-10, the new airliner was able to follow the last DC-10/KC-10 on the production line, reducing the need for retooling and re-training in the Long Beach factory.
Although superficially the MD-11 is visually similar to its predecessor, it is in fact a substantially different aircraft. Modifications to the old airframe, technological advances and improved engines have all helped to produce an airliner that, according to MDC, will fly 27% further than the DC-10-30 at a 16% lower operating cost per seat kilometre. This represents a substantial improvement over the DC-10, one that is looked upon favourably by airlines seeking new aircraft, and one that enables MDC to compete with its rivals, namely the Airbus A330/340.
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