McDonnell Douglas MD-12

The McDonnell Douglas MD‑12 was a conceptual wide‑body airliner announced in the early 1990s as the company’s response to the growing demand for high‑capacity, long‑range transport. First unveiled at the 1991 Paris Air Show, the MD‑12 was envisioned as a double‑deck aircraft capable of seating up to 400 passengers in a typical three‑class layout, rivaling Boeing’s 747. Its design featured a high‑by‑wing configuration, four high‑bypass turbofan engines mounted on pylons beneath the wings, and a spacious interior that could be reconfigured for cargo or mixed passenger‑freight operations. Advanced fly‑by‑wire controls, a carbon‑fiber reinforced fuselage, and a modern glass cockpit were intended to reduce weight and improve fuel efficiency, promising a 15 percent lower operating cost per seat‑mile than contemporary twin‑aisle jets. Despite a promising market study, the MD‑12 never progressed beyond wind‑tunnel testing; shifting airline economics, the high development cost, and the success of upgraded 747 and emerging Airbus A330/A340 families led McDonnell Douglas to cancel the program in 1995. The MD‑12 remains a notable “what‑if” in aviation history, illustrating the challenges of launching a new ultra‑large aircraft in a competitive market.

McDonnell Douglas

McDonnell Douglas MD-12

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Design & Classification