Posted on 04/28/2005 8:12:20 PM PDT by Righty_McRight
On Wednesday, Boeing delivered its 1,050th, and final, 757 jet to Shanghai Airlines, ending the 23-year run of production of the plane.
Boeing in late 2003 decided to end 757 production because the needs for medium-range airliners were being met with the 737 model, and will be further pushed when the 787 Dreamliner takes to the skies.
Aside from its significance as the final 757, the plane is the first certified Chapter 4 airplane, meeting noise limits scheduled to go into effect Jan. 1, 2006.
More than 1,030 757s are still in service.
Chicago-based Boeing (NYSE: BA) employs more than 35,300 people in California. Its commercial airplanes unit, headquartered in Renton, Wash., maintains extensive operations in Long Beach and is the second-largest employer in that city.
Boeing Closes Chapter in Aviation History with Final 757 Delivery
SEATTLE, April 28, 2005 -- Boeing [NYSE:BA] yesterday concluded the remarkable 23-year run of the 757 passenger airplane by delivering the final one to Shanghai Airlines.
The airplane is the 1,050 th Boeing 757. The 757 is one of seven commercial models that have sold more than 1,000 airplanes, and more than 1,030 of the 757s are still in service.
"This is a special day for Boeing. The fact that more than 1,000 757s were selected by 55 customers and remain in service today is a great tribute to the imagination and skill of the Boeing employees who designed and built them," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Chief Executive Alan Mulally. "The 757 holds a special place in aviation history for its efficiency and environmental responsibility, and we continue that heritage of innovation with our current family of airplanes."
Continuing the 757's legacy of innovation, the airplane delivered yesterday is the first 757 certified and delivered as a Chapter 4 airplane, meaning it meets noise limits scheduled to go into effect Jan. 1, 2006.
The airplane is the 13 th 757-200 delivered to Shanghai Airlines, which took delivery of its first 757 in August 1989.
"With the delivery and addition of the last two Boeing 757-200s, these fuel-efficient airplanes will continue to be a mainstay within our fleet," said Captain Ding Xin Guo, senior vice president of Shanghai Airlines. " Shanghai Airlines is dedicated to becoming the most preferred airline in China. The 757 airplanes will provide our passengers with a safe and comfortable flight experience."
Established in 1985 in China's largest city, Shanghai Airlines operates 33 Boeing jetliners including 15 Next-Generation 737s, 12 757-200s, five 767-300s and one 737-300 freighter. The carrier operates more than 100 domestic routes and six regional services to neighboring countries and areas in Asia.
Boeing in late 2003 decided to end 757 production because the increased capabilities of the newest 737s and the potential of the all-new Boeing 787 fulfill the 757 market's needs. The airplane delivered today rolled off the company's Renton, Wash., assembly line last October.
The 757 fleet worldwide has flown more than 35 million hours, which is equivalent to one airplane flying continuously for 4,000 years.
http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2005/q2/nr_050428g.html
Always liked flying in 757's.
The 757 may well be the least comfortable jetliner that Boeing ever made.
Don't the Chinese use the higher takeoff performance of the 757 especially at high altitude airports.
Rock solid airplane, though.
Never had a problem with the 757, and I've flown in at least 20 of them.
Why would it be any different than a 727 or 737? It has exactly the same cabin cross-section.
I've ridden in some that were downright flying cattle cars.
Interior setup isn't decided by the manufacturer but by each airline.
I'm with you there... the 777 is my favorite (it used to be the 747)
Okay, the 757 line is now shut down. I'm wondering if any 767s are still being produced? And what about the 777s? I see the latter are still being sold, and I wonder why if the 787 is the plane of choice now?
The 777 is doing quite well and will continue to be sold for many years. The 767 is just about dead but Boeing is trying to hold off shutting down the production line as the the KC-767 is the only aircraft Boeing has for the USAF tanker replacement program.
Yeah but how many times have you flown a 737 cross country? When they pack em in a 757 it takes forever to board. Even first class is lame. I know it's up to the airline how it's set up but damn. I always like flying in Southwest's 737, they don't hold a lot of people and I love sitting facing backwards.
Flying in a 727 is like being in a sports car, they seem to take off pretty quickly while a 757 seems to lumber along. I don't like the back seats in a 727 though.
Okay, but you did not answer my question as to why someone would purchase the 777 over the 787 or vice-versa?
"Okay, but you did not answer my question as to why someone would purchase the 777 over the 787 or vice-versa?"
The 777 will fly further and/or seat a LOT more people than the 787 (300 vs. 220).
Future models of the 787 may overlap the 777's capability, but right now they are a 767 replacement.
Other advantages to the 777 are the engines are 10 years older and are repairable by cheaper 3rd parties, vs. the brand new engines in the 787 where you'll have to "take to the dealer" for at least the next 10 years.
I didn't think there were any 727's still flying in the country except a few charters and Trump's ego plane. They are mostly in Africa where they have ripped out all of the seats and are literally used as human cattle cars.
Most of the 72's are gone because of the noise restrictions.
Take-off rolls were fun--they went like a scalded cat down the runway.
At the cost of deafening everyone for 2 miles around the field ;-)
If I recall correctly, the 757 was intended to be a replacement for the 727's which were at the time the world's best selling airliner.
As the 737 family grew in size and range, the 757 gradually became redundant and the 737 took over the role of 727-replacement. Heck, there are even ETOPS 737s in the skies today--who'd have thunk that when the original stubby little 737-100 took to the air in the mid-1960's to do battle with the DC-9 and BAC-111?
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