The Boeing Story Part V

After producing many successful airliners in the 1960's, the Boeing Company was presented with a challenge, producing an airliner to replace their aging 727. Originally called the 7N7, Boeing was tasked with developing a replacement, but also making a more fuel efficient airliner, after the oil crisis in the 1970's. Boeing settled on retaining a basic fuselage design, and renamed the airliner the 757.

Officially classified as a short to medium range airliner, the Boeing 757 has been utilized on a multitude of routes across the world. Originally developed as a single version, the 757-200, the airliner could haul on average 200 passengers and a maximum of 234. The need for fuel efficiency and making a larger aircraft lead to having a more than 4,000 mile range, allowing the 757 to fly across the United States easily. The first 757-200 was delivered to Eastern Airways, at the time one of the largest operators of the 727, on December 22, 1982.

Today, the 757-200 has seen a number of modifications to make it a more competitive aircraft in today's bottom line focused world. A third party modification adds winglets to the wing, in order to produce more lift and less fuel consumption. These winglets also allow for a range extension of nearly 300 miles. This makes flights possible between the Northeast United State and many portions of Western Europe, offering a smaller aircraft for the smaller markets of Europe. A total of 995 757-200's were produced, with over 60% of those operating today in the United States.

The 757-200 was also developed from the factory as a cargo aircraft, upon the request of United Parcel Service (UPS). UPS wanted an aircraft that could haul a significant amount of cargo across the United States non-stop. Boeing developed the freighter as the same basic aircraft, but removed all passenger doors and windows and added a single large cargo door to the aircraft, to allow for standardized cargo pallets. Today many former passenger 757's are being converted to use by the cargo industry, allowing the cargo carriers to purchase relatively inexpensive aircraft that are more than capable for the required job.

Developed in the mid-1990's the 757-300 is the same basic aircraft, except lengthened by 24 feet, to a total of 179 feet. This lengthening allows for an average passenger load of 243 or a maximum of 289. While the aircraft can transport more people, it sacrifices range to do so, with a range of around 3,500 miles. A total of 55 757-300's were produced, and all are in operation today, with many of them flying for Northwest Airlines and Continental Airlines. Production of the 757 ceased in 2005, and the 757 will be replaced by the all new Boeing 787.

The 757 drastically changed commercial airline travel, by allowing airlines to fly to cities that had more demand and less demand. It allowed airlines to utilize an aircraft on various routes, and continues to serve them well today. So remember, the next time you arrive at the airport, if you're flying across the country, you'll likely be on a Boeing 757.