The Boeing 757 is an aircraft that has made a significant impact on the aviation industry and will be remembered for years. Despite being out of production, the 757 is still in use today, with more than 500 still active. This article includes all details about the Boeing 757, especially the variant that is often overlooked, the Boeing 757-300.
The Boeing 757
Boeing 757, designed by Boeing Commercial Aeroplanes, is a narrow-body, twin-engine aircraft that came into service in the early 1980s. The design of the Boeing 757 was initiated in the late 1970s in response to airline demand for a more efficient aircraft than the Boeing 727. The goal was to create an aircraft that was more fuel efficient, had lower noise, and improved operational performance than the 727. The result was an aircraft with incredible aerodynamic efficiency. The first flight was on Feb. 19, 1982, and it later came into service on Jan. 1, 1983, with Eastern Air Lines.
The aircraft was initially made for short to medium-haul operations. However, due to its high performance and long range, it made it suitable for transatlantic flights. The aircraft was ETOPS (Extended Twin-Engine Operational Performance Standards) certified in 1986 and could easily take off short runways from 6000 to 7000 feet (2.13 km) in under 140 knots due to its powerful engines which could produce 37,400-38,200 pounds of thrust (about 166-170 KN) per engine at full throttle and could cruise at 530 mph (852.95 km/h). The high thrust-to-weight ratio made the aircraft well-suited for short runway takeoffs and enabled long-distance travel.
Boeing 757’s engine came in two variants. The first is the Rolls-Royce RB211, which could produce 37,400 pounds (16.96 tons) of thrust per engine at full throttle. The other, Pratt and Whitney PW2037, could produce 38,200 pounds (17.33 tons) of thrust at full throttle. The aircraft’s efficient engines and supercritical wings greatly improved its performance as they greatly reduced drag, which resulted in better fuel efficiency and improved cooling.
Boeing ended production of the Boeing 757 in October 2004 due to the declining demand for the aircraft. The production of more efficient aircraft, such as Boeing 737-900ER and Airbus A321, also influenced the decline in demand for the aircraft. However, despite the end of production, the aircraft is still in use today and is highly valued for its power and range, about 3,915 nautical miles (7,250 km).
Boeing 757-300
Often overlooked when compared to its other half, the Boeing 757-200, is the Boeing 757-300, a longer version of the 757-200, which could carry more passengers than the 757-200. Its large size made it incredibly suitable for domestic flights, and to add more, it retained the abilities of the original 757 model. The aircraft could take off from short runways and could reach 3,400 nautical miles (6,295 km) cruising at 530 mph (852.95 km/h). A total of 1,050 Boeing 757s were produced (between 1981 and 2004), and 55 of those were Boeing 757-300.
Dr. Dietmar Kirchner, former managing director of Condor’s parent company Lufthansa, highlighted the aircraft’s economic benefits, saying:
“We liked the economics of the 757-200, so we knew we’d have even better economics with the stretched 757”
Several of the Boeing 757s are still in use today. Over 500 of them remain active worldwide, with most of the 757-200s being converted into freighters by operators such as FedEx, UPS, and DHL for cargo operations. Operators that currently use the aircraft for domestic flights are Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Icelandair. Only 45 of the 55 Boeing 757-300 remain active, and these are used by United Airlines (20 of the aircraft), Delta Air Lines (15 of the aircraft), Condor (8 aircraft) and Icelandair (2 Boeing 757-300).
Airbus A300F
Another Aircraft not talked about enough is the Airbus A300F. The A300F made its entrance into the aviation industry during the early 1980s. The aircraft was made to meet the increasing demand for cargo transport. The aircraft featured a wide-body design and could be powered by GE CF6-80C2 and Pratt & Whitney PW4158 engines. The aircraft was highly favoured in the freight industry for its large volume, with a capacity of over 15,000 cubic feet (424.75 m³), and its design, which prioritised efficient loading and unloading.
It could travel medium to long-haul cargo routes, approximately 4,050 nautical miles (7,500 km), and could cruise at 622 mph (1,001.01 km/h). The range of the A300F is 4,050 nautical miles (7,500 km), about 650 more than the Boeing 757. Although both aircraft were made for different purposes, the Airbus A300F deserves to be mentioned. A total of 169 of the A300F are still active, and some are used by FedEx Express (38 active A300-600F), UPS Airlines (52 active A300-600F), Air Hong Kong (6 active A300-600F), Solinair (2 active A300-600F), and MNG Airlines (A300-600F).
Sadly, despite their significant impact on the aviation industry, some remaining Boeing 757 and A300F aircraft are being replaced and retired due to advancements in aviation technology and manufacturing. The aircraft’s age also plays a role in its retirement. Condor has announced its plan to retire its fleet of 757s by 2025. Although these aircraft will be replaced and retired, their lasting impact on the aviation industry will never be forgotten.
Have you flown in the Boeing 757? If so, which of the Boeing 757 variants is your favourite? Leave your comments below.
