It has been over four decades since the Boeing 757
took to the skies for the first time. Developed as a successor to the Boeing 727, it may not have
been the best-selling single-aisle model in Boeing's history, but it’s a type that many pilots
and aviation enthusiasts respect and revere. While it’s no longer in production, the 757 continues
to serve in commercial and cargo operations today. But what, exactly, gives the 757
its iconic status? What is it about the jet that people love? Let’s
explore this topic for today’s video! Boeing concluded production of the
757 about two decades ago, in 2004. When all was said and done, there were a total
of 1,050 airframes manufactured during its production run. Most of these were 757-200s, while
a smaller number were the extended 757-300 models. Even as newer Boeing 757s
approach 25 years of age, over 500 of these airframes are still
actively flying with 47 different airlines - at least according to data
from ch-aviation from late July 2024. And so the first factor making the 757 an
iconic jet is the power relative to its size. Many pilots call the 757 a sports car in the sky. The aircraft is said to fly best when it is light, and its handling is described as
quote "almost perfectly neutral." Indeed, some have gone so far as
to say that handling of the Boeing 757 is the way one should expect
an airliner to fly. For example, the large rudder on the airliner makes
quick work of crosswinds and V1 cuts. The 757 is sometimes regarded as one of
the best designs the Boeing engineers got right - at least from a pilot's
perspective. Commentators point out that no modern design performs
its mission as well as the 757. The Boeing 757 was engineered with
powerful engines considering the size of its airframe. The 757
came with two engine choices: the Rolls-Royce RB211 high-bypass
turbofan and the Pratt & Whitney PW2037. Rolls-Royce engines provided 37,400 pounds
(166 kN) of thrust per engine at full throttle, an uncommon level of power for the
slender 757 design. Pratt & Whitney PW2037 engines provided 38,200
pounds (170 kN) of thrust each. Both engine options enable the 757 to
achieve takeoff on runways as short as 6,000 to 7,000 feet (1,660 to 2,070
meters) in length under 140 knots. This has given the type’s operators the ability
to fly from smaller and more remote airports. Interestingly, it was the first time that Boeing launched an aircraft with a
non-domestic engine manufacturer. Another aspect that made the Boeing 757 genuinely unique and versatile for its
time was its cockpit design. These days, piilots may find the flight
deck quaintly antiquated. However, when it first flew in 1982, it was
a rather revolutionary aircraft. In the 1970s, Boeing ruled the commercial aviation
scene because Airbus was just starting out. As it stood, Boeing's planes, like the 707 and
727 trijet, dominated the commercial skies. When Boeing introduced the
757, it brought something new: a glass cockpit, which earlier single-aisle
aircraft, like the 727, did not have. The introduction of this high-tech cockpit
made it feasible to fly further with only just two crew members in the cockpit, with
the engineer no longer needed onboard. Other aircraft had also transitioned to
two crew cockpits, but the 757 took safety a step further with the EFIS (Electronic
Flight Instrument System) glass cockpit. It is worth noting that the Boeing
757 was developed concurrently with the Boeing 767 widebody. Therefore,
the cockpit is virtually identical, making it easy for pilots to
transition between the two aircraft. The next notable 757 feature
is its supercritical wings. The Boeing 757 was an early aircraft incorporating
what is called a supercritical wing design. This wing design underwent testing in the 1970s,
around the same time the 757 was being designed. Unlike conventional wings that are
rounded on top and flat on the bottom, supercritical wings have a flatter top
and a rounded bottom. These supercritical wings effectively reduce aerodynamic drag,
resulting in enhanced fuel efficiency, improved cooling, better engine compartment
layout, and reduced production costs. According to NASA, testing validated wind tunnel
data, showing the supercritical wing increased efficiency by as much as 15%. This made the 757
a worthy competitor in the market at the time. In addition to the 757, Boeing decided
to include the supercritical wing design on their Boeing 767s, Boeing 777s, and
their C-17 military transport aircraft. Our next point is more of a
coincidence based on airline preferences rather than something built
into the structural design of the 757. Nonetheless, Based on multiple historical
flight reviews, and other information gathered, there’s some indication that passengers
feel comfortable traveling on the aircraft. Although subjective and HIGHLY variable between
airline operators, some passengers consider this jet as being more comfortable than the popular
Boeing 737 or Airbus A320 series of aircraft. Indeed, before considering airline configuration, we know that the 757 had comparable
cabin dimensions as the 737NG. The 757 has a cabin height of about 214
centimeters (84.2 inches). This is slightly less than the 737NG’s 220 centimeters (86.6
inches). Cabin width is close, with the 737NG being about an inch wider. Both also sport a
3-3 seating configuration for economy class. And so with all this in mind,
any feelings of elevated comfort and spaciousness on the 757 seems to come
from the interior fitting of the airline. Nonetheless, according to Boeing, the 757 can
accommodate between 200 and 295 passengers, depending on the configuration and variant. And nearing the end of our video, it’s worth
mentioning that the Boeing 757 was one of the first aircraft designed specifically for the
short and medium-haul market. According to its specifications, the 757-200 variant can fly as
far as 3,900 nautical miles (7,220 kilometers), and the larger 757-300 variant can reach a maximum
range of 3,395 nautical miles (6,287 kilometers). In comparison, the Boeing 727 was more
suited to operating shorter trips, as the 727-100 variant had a maximum range
of 2,300 nautical miles (4,300 kilometers). The 757 was one of the first aircraft
to be granted Extended Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards (ETOPS)
certification. Not only is it ideal for domestic flights within the US, the jet is
capable of completing popular transatlantic city pairings non-stop, making it a
rather versatile aircraft for operators. Quite sadly for avgeeks - and
even some airline operators, it seems there was never really a
proper replacement for the Boeing 757. This is partly why airlines
have continued to fly it. Many airlines and pilots hope that Boeing's
New Midsize Airplane (culturally called the Boeing 797) will fill the gap left by
the now-aging 757 fleet. Of course, it is far from certain that the Boeing
797 will ever go into production. Now feeling more like a myth,
the Boeing '797' project started in 2015 (around 11 years after the
Boeing 757 went out of production). Various airlines had expressed interest
in the new aircraft in those early years. However, the pandemic was a
major factor scuttling any new aircraft progress. Boeing’s more recent
troubles over manufacturing and assembly quality have only further delayed
progress on developing a new type. So what do YOU think of the Boeing
757? How long do you think the type will continue to be operated by airlines?
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