In the early 1990s, McDonnell Douglas had an ambitious plan—to build a double-deck jumbo jet that could rival the Boeing 747 and Airbus’ future A380. Designed to carry over 500 passengers, the MD-12 ...

While Boeing is bogged down, its archrival is pulling ahead with a new model that’s a symbol of their diverging fortunes.

Communications between the tower and pilot were normal on approach and it’s not clear what went so drastically wrong when the plane touched down.

Airlines are constantly disposing of old aircraft and acquiring new ones. The reasons rarely have much—if anything—to do with ...