AVIATION: Jets for United

At Douglas Aircraft's Santa Monica, Calif, plant one day last week, shoppers from eight airlines gathered to discuss plans and production schedules for the company's new DC-8 jet liner. In the midst of the discussions, a happy Douglas executive delivered a powerful nine-word sales talk: "Gentlemen, United Air Lines has just purchased 30 DC-8s." The huge, $175 million order was the first by any domestic airline, and its meaning was clear: with orders in hand for 25 planes from Pan American (TIME, Oct. 24) and 30 from United, Douglas was well ahead of rival Boeing Aircraft in the commercial-jet...

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