The Boeing 757 is a bit of an odd aircraft.
Built after the Boeing 727 and developed at the same time as the Boeing 767, it filled
a unique space in the aviation market that has arguably not been filled since.
So why was it built? Let us explore.
Boeing began to develop a new aircraft after the success of the Boeing 727. The 727 series
had become the best selling aircraft of the 1960s and was the main workhorse of US aviation.
Looking at the market, airlines wanted a bigger version of the 727 and asked Boeing if it
could improve on the 727-200’s capacity. The manufacturer offered two concepts:
The first was a longer Boeing 727-300 that would have the advantage of being built in
five years with additional seats. The second option was a newer concept aircraft
developed from the ground up called the 7N7. Initially, airlines like United took an interest
in the stretched 727-300 as it would easily fit into existing operations.
However, when Boeing released details of the 7N7 and highlighted how it would take advantage
of newer technologies, United had a change of heart. New technologies that convinced
them included high-bypass-fan turbofan engines and a lighter weight design. All of this would
equate to lower operating costs. From here, Boeing decided to move forward
on the 7N7 and renamed it the Boeing 757. In 1978, Boeing had two versions of the 757:
The 757-100, which could seat around 160 passengers, and
The 757-200 which sat at least 180 passengers and could be configured for many more.
When marketing the jet to airlines, many picked the 757-200 over the smaller 757-100. Boeing
would then drop the shorter version, who’s role would be eventually filled by the Boeing
737. In March of 1979, Boeing officially signed
two orders for the 757-200 with British Airways and Eastern Air Lines for a combined total
of 40 aircraft. During the design phase, Boeing moved resources
away from the 707 line and into a parallel project called the 767 (which was a replacement
for the 707). This led to many new 767 features being ‘borrowed’ by the 757 program.
The 767 program was a few months ahead in development, and its technological improvements
were leaps and bounds over the older 727 design from which the 757 had been working from.
Borrowed features included the same interior, handling characteristics, and the design for
a two-person cockpit (leaving behind the need for a third person).
Thanks to this shared design process, many pilots would be able to fly both the 757 and
the 767 with some minor training. Delivery of the first Boeing 757-200 was on December
22nd, 1982, to Eastern Airlines. The Boeing 757 would go on to fill the middle
of the market role for airlines around the world. This would be on routes that had higher
demand than the 727 it replaced, but lower than the widebody Boeing 767.
When ETOPS regulations were changed, many airlines chose to operate Boeing 757s and
767s on routes between North America to Europe. They would fly to smaller cities and allow
airlines to carve out lucrative tourist routes without flying through larger hub airports
(like London). Overall, the Boeing 757 was designed for airlines
looking for a bigger Boeing 727 with a refreshed design. Flying internationally wasn’t its
original purpose, but it turned out to be highly suitable for the job.
Have you flown on a Boeing 757? Share your experience with us in
the comments.