Why Did Delta Air Lines Take On The Boeing 757?

The Boeing 757 is one of Delta Air Lines' preferred jets. Indeed, the Atlanta-based carrier has been putting its trust in the narrowbody for nearly 40 years!
You may well have seen the SkyTeam member's 757s on your travels, but do you know why it began flying the type? Well, in today’s video, we take a look at why Delta took on the Boeing 757 in the first place. Let’s get started!
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[@azsoftware]

757, the sports car of the skies.

[@CY5588]

How true

[@dodoubleg2356]

AGREED!! 👍✈️😉

[@kenpalmer1965]

That's a good way of putting it! Such a great plane!

[@grriceman782]

The 757’s Delta utilizes provides a unique travel experience. It’s a narrow body but gives the impression of a wide body. Moreover, the fact that your board at door #2 provides somewhat of a sense of serenity if you’re a FC passenger.

[@afb2]

Honestly changes the game. I have no idea why American never did this, at best they would board from the back and the front when they had their 757s.

[@grriceman782]

@@afb2 Interesting…I don’t fly AA so I wasn’t aware

[@johniii8147]

@@afb2 I don't know what your talking about. Door 2 boarding was extremely common at AA. Wasn't sad to see them go though since they didn't bother to update the cabins etc. Don't miss them on AA a bit. Nor do I miss those ratched 767s.

[@TangoSQR]

I know the 757s are old birds but I like to fly in them. I understand that Delta is particularly proficient in maintaining them. We always fly first class and I like that the boarding pattern is to the left of the entry door. I'll take the old 757 any day over the 737 or the A320.

[@_w_w_]

I am a Delta frequent flyer and have been on the 757 lots of times. People don't realize, but Delta renovated their 757 cabin and they have an early generation of the Sky Interior design and therefore, it's very modern looking. Admittedly, boarding can be time consuming because it's very very long. It's definitely a great plane and I would pick it over the 737 any day of the week.

[@CY5588]

Yes

[@johniii8147]

Somewhat modern looking I'd say. The age still shows in a lot of ways in the walls, seats etc. It was also now quite a few years ago now they went through the remodel. It's not a recent thing.

[@_w_w_]

@@johniii8147 There are 757s with new walls. Sure, it may not look as good as the A321neo that just rolled out of the factory, the 757 look pretty darn good against some 737 in other US carriers' fleets...

[@johniii8147]

@@_w_w_ DL's old 737-800s are particularly bad we will agree. Like flying in the 1990s

[@bluemutt9964]

Very relieving to know I'm flying in one of these soon and not a death-trap 737, as if people didn't have flight anxiety before Boeing invented the convertible jetliner

[@scpatl4now]

I think I have flown every configuration of Delta's 757s. They used to fly them a lot to RSW before replacing them on the route with newer Airbus planes. Most pilots I have talked to at Delta will tell you their favorite planes to fly are the 757 and the former L 1011's. Most pilots who flew the L 1011's loved them.

[@johniii8147]

Doesn't really matter a pilots favorite plane.

[@scpatl4now]

@@johniii8147 Yes it does, because those are generally the best planes

[@johniii8147]

@@scpatl4now Not really.

[@johniii8147]

no not really. It's just a personal preference. I know many pilots at DL and AA the much prefer the Airbus planes.

[@ARandom777]

@@johniii8147True. I came across a pilot who flew the L1011 only to end up liking the A350 better as his final aircraft.

[@APR1037]

The 757 is one of my favorite aircraft. I have flown on it many times including on routes from mainland US to Puerto Rico, ATL to the U.S. west coast, and Iceland to continental EU. Delta has densified the plane but it’s still a great aircraft to fly.

[@frrrfrrr9177]

The 757 will forever be in everyone’s heart.

[@amprosk]

Used to fly this a lot between Puerto Rico and the mainland US when I was younger. Still my favorite aircraft, have a model with Delta livery on my desk at work

[@heroknaderi]

I have flown on a few 757s before. They are amazing

[@antr7493]

Got to love the nickname "Flying Pencil"

[@ericjones7769]

Correction,but Delta actually got it's 757-300s from it's 2008 merger with Northwest Airlines!!! Delta never did order the 300s themselves

[@giff2211]

I flew on the 757-200 and 757-300 on Deltas California route. It's a powerful jet, flights were smooth

[@AviationCommercials]

I just did JFK-MEX in April. Its still my favorite aircraft next to the 717s in their fleet.

[@user-xp9hu8sg9o]

You mean KJFK-MMMX

[@WaPiTiChAsEr]

Just flew Savannah/Hilton Head to Atlanta in Comfort+ in a 757-200HD. We were the 1st row behind 1st Class & it was very comfortable. The plane took off effortlessly with a full capacity manifest. Flight was short but it was very smooth, only other plane that compares is the Airbus A321 Neo.

[@davidalexander2007]

I had a flight to NY LaGuardia Airport on a Delta 757. It was comfortable and airborne in a very short distance. Seats and leg room were extremely nice. I love the 757's great looks and comfort.

[@FitzArias]

C.E. Woolman spoke like a man who knew the airline game very well. He was right about how complex it was going to get. Collett Everman "Wooly" Woolman (1889 - 1966)

[@Kay_jay_999]

Flew the 757 from atl to mco & Seattle last year ..... the flying pencil is still one of my fav aircrafts out there!

[@noroy2]

Flown in one these impressive 757s form LAX to PHX back in 1999 on America West.

[@sa8569]

my first ever flight on a Boeing 757 was with Delta on a flight from LGA to ATL in early 2012. That has been my only flight on a 757 so far. Hopefully I will fly on one again before they are eventually retired :)

[@psycoape5753]

doNT WORRY ITS GONNA BE A WHILE BEFORE we retire them.

[@andrewyoung3299]

I've been on the Delta 757's between Los Angeles and Orlando. Glad to see that they remain with them!

[@johniii8147]

It made sense for DL largely because of its mega hub at ATL. It could support the huge volume of traffic funnels through the hub.

[@hawktb9]

Delta's had an AMAZING fleet for a very long time, and that shows off their flexibility with their routes.

[@johniii8147]

Delta is very skilled at operating a complex fleet. They have the scale and expertise to do so.

[@niltonlacle]

Boeing 757... It's not only my favorite aircraft, but even my family loves flying in them.

[@taridean]

Goodness me, the flying pencil is such a sexy looking airliner.

[@markkeller9378]

757 is a great plane…smooth, and great power for its weight..it can give you a thrill if all that power is used! It’s a true gem. Sports car indeed!!

[@dodoubleg2356]

I used to fly from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh at least once a month. If possible, I’d always try & build my travel times to avoid the ERJ’s so that I could fly the once daily early morning flight on a 757. Next to the 727, ironically, it’s my fav ✈️🛫.

[@BruceWayneWorld]

Great aircraft ✈️ I been on nearly every 757 in Deltas fleet due to once working for Gate Gourmet the former catering company Delta used at ATL. I love the aircraft and just booked a flight on Delta just to fly on it before they retire

[@x7wolverines7x]

Just make a 757 max already

[@kingsharkoon]

Not gonna happen. Get over it. 😂

[@johniii8147]

Such a tired thing to say. Boeing moved on from the 757 now 18 years ago. It wasn't selling and never sold that well overall with 1000 sales after 30 years on the market. Also was very expensive for Boeing to make.

[@Alex-om1be]

737 max 10..

[@jonniejones876]

Flew one with delta from JFK to St Maarten. The short runway takeoff performance is ridiculous

[@johniii8147]

You should see the 747 take off from that runway. Now that was fun.

[@shfstan]

great aircraft, fly in one every month out of ATL

[@stevemclean9411]

Much of the 757 fleet came from merger with northwest, especially the 300s. I think NW bought the American Transair 757s

[@jaye909]

No, Continental bought those and they are now with United. All of Delta's -300s came from Northwest

[@daniloamchagas]

The only time I flew in one of these was from Brasília, Brazil, to Atlanta and back. It was already a little dated at the time (2012), without personal entertainment, but it was good, especially because both flights weren't full, and I could have a whole row of three seats to myself :)

[@jaysmith1408]

The PW2037’s were JT10D’s, the name was changed, the engine was updated, for the 757. You couldn’t get a 757 with JT10D’s. And the 48% fuel savings over the 727 surely had something to do with having 50% fewer engines. And the 752 is great in South America, hot and high airports are the bread and butter of the jet. American loved them down there.

[@psycoape5753]

I see like at least 3 757-300's everyday at work XD im so fortunate.

[@DanT271]

I flew on one several times with American Airlines out of DFW The 757 is my all time favorite aircraft

[@brianmoran.]

This has always been my favourite aircraft, purely based on its shape!

[@rogeryscankill962]

Funny wooden writing tool

[@eamonahern7495]

Not Delta but Aer Lingus used to have one on the Shannon-Boston route before moving to an all Airbus fleet under IAG. Like the 737, it seems like a good work horse of a plane.

[@bignessgta5]

Because it's a good plane

[@eyestoenvy]

I love the plane, it instils a sense of CONFIDENCE!

[@erik_griswold]

Delta didn’t buy the 727, Northeast did and when Delta and NE merged, Delta was impressed by them. As pointed out elsewhere, many of the 757s flying today came from Northwest and others in the fleet were originally delivered to TWA.

[@Tre-jj8do]

What kind of cookie do you want?

[@TheMaartian]

I've flown the 757 dozens of times. It's a good, solid aircraft. As noted by others, with the same engines as the 767, it was a racer. Pilots loved "driving" them. The primary downside in my experience was that, due to having the same fuselage cross-section as the 727 and 737 (and probably the 707), it could not handle containers for cargo. Bags had to be loaded/unloaded individually. The worst example was in Caracas. Instead of using a conveyor, ground staff backed a pickup truck with 2x4's in the corners of the bed, wrapped with chicken wire, to the cargo hatch and just tossed bags from the plane down into the truck. Yikes! Fortunately for me, I only had two carry-ons, and since I flew First Class, I had plenty of space to store them.

[@randyburton]

Yes I flying on then going to fl and US Virgin Islands and I also work on then to

[@Patrickair4444]

Wow 757 with delta nice one there

[@MrProTechHD]

i was on its 757 from vegas couple of days ago the ac was barely working

[@heesingsia4634]

Did they operate the ATL/MSP sector with the 757s about 10 years ago? I remember being on a narrowbody for that flight. I'm pretty sure it wasn't a 737 as I've personally operated the 734 during my time as a flight attendant with a different carrier that does not operate 757s.

[@kevinp8108]

In 2012, I flew on an American Airlines B757 to Honolulu from Los Angeles.

[@Real_deal954]

Non aviation enthusiasts would never understand the respect the 757 deserves!

[@eugeneanderson8289]

So True!!!

[@johnwm7039]

Favorite FC seats on DL domestic flights are on the ‘pencil’, including to Hawaii.

[@Staticc146]

I fly on the 757 very frequently between Atlanta and Orlando

[@gteixeira]

You're rich!

[@Thegonagle]

Why DIDN’T Boeing choose the 757? Build an even more efficient and capable 757-MAX series to replace the original, and an efficiency-focused, um, 757-Mini series to entirely replace the 737? I think the reason was McDonnel-Dougla$.

[@kingsharkoon]

The reason was that orders were dwindling and they chose the 737 over the 757 and MD-90.

[@TRAVELLER52589]

@@kingsharkoonhad they been visionary they would have predicted that it would actually do very well now

[@AshMundo]

9/11 destroyed orders for it and the point to point, medium/long haul travel wasn't big back then... If they had all of the tools and the supplier runs now, they probably would have a MAX version of it and sell lots. However, they don't and it'll probably be cheaper to have a new design with new materials etc than re-establish a 757 with a MAX.

[@CheapBastard1988]

Low-cost carriers, unwilling to swallow the cost of the more expensive type rating, that all their pilots would require on a 757-MAX vs the 737-MAX, are the ones to blame I expect. Pity, because I expect the typical short haul A321 NEO customer, to be interested in a narrow body aircraft that could move more passengers and has a decent size cargo haul, capable of carrying baggage containers. What the 797 was supposed to become.

[@AshMundo]

@@CheapBastard1988 the 797 was going to be a twin Isle aircraft.

[@cabottaxi]

Plenty of them used over the Atlantic to and from Edinburgh on a daily basis, Always had a soft spot for the 757. You don't see many of them about .

[@stephenj4937]

I'm glad Delta no longer flies the 757 on transatlantic flights; the 767 is much more comfortable. But the 757 is great for flights to Central America, where you only spend about 3 hours on board.

[@iainmcl400]

I remember being amazed by the 757 which replaced Tridents with BA in the mid 80s. A lovely aircraft with a great takeoff running EDI-LHR. Not so enjoyable on Continental, later United, when non-stop transatlantic flights were introduced on EDI-EWR. While it was a significant time saving compared to transferring at LHR or AMS, it was also more expensive, and 7 hours got quite uncomfortable.

[@United_Continental_767]

is there a video on United's 757s and 767s?

[@punkyskunk9317]

I think the fact that Boeing passed on the idea of modernizing the 757 was a huge missed opportunity.

[@ErwowowAiakw]

The length of the video is very wrong for the 757 😂😂

[@terrytruslove1383]

If it’s not broken and it works don’t change it simple

[@Brtt4849]

Unless it’s almost 30 years old and is a plane, simple.

[@scpatl4now]

@@Brtt4849 Not so simple if you own it outright...and it isn't leased. The longer you can fly it the more value you get out of it.

[@kingsharkoon]

​@@scpatl4nowMX goes up and through the roof about 20-25 years of plane life. So, yea. It's near the end for the 757 in many cases.

[@johniii8147]

@@kingsharkoon In almost all cases other than possible cargo conversions. They already have the orders in place to replace them

[@timbaugh4034]

Good video but get your facts right! Should have mention that Delta chose PW2037 over the Rolls Royce RB211.

[@GarlandTexasSpotter2024]

I always prefer the PW2000 over the RB211, It is easier for my ears and not as loud as the RB211. It’s like CFM 56 preferred than the IAE V2500.

[@user-xp9hu8sg9o]

My research project on aviation automation concluded that Boeing, instead abusing of the 737 airframe should resume operations with the 757 using 787 technology and being Delta the lunching customer

[@patrickrankin4476]

Boeing made a mistake in a) not upgrading the 737 flight instrumentation and overhead panel because of one customer, b) optimization of the 757 might have made it difficult for the A320 to gain a customer base, c) McDonald Douglas ethos should never have been allowed to mess up a simple Boeing philosophy, the cost cutting didn't produce profits, cost lives, as often happens when non aviation/maritime safety standards are made secondary to maximum profit. It didn't. (ie the acceptable hull loss thinking that affected the DC10, rebadged as the MD11, and the aerodynamically problematic 737NEO) just a thought.

[@stevemclean9411]

The 300s were flying to Hawaii. They replaced Northwest DC 10s

[@ronparrish6666]

And Delta and North West were the only ones with the PW engines and i think there the same engines on the C17

[@johniii8147]

TWA also had PW engines. AA operated them a while after the acquisition and sold them to DL after a few years.

[@flyingdentist]

cool

[@stevemclean9411]

757 300 serve Hawaii.

[@afb2]

The Delta 757 in business is such a great flight experience. Makes the 757s I flew on for American so many years seem like a joke.

[@johniii8147]

You must have been on an internationally configured aircraft with the lie flats. AA also had a fleet of those. The domestic configuration on both DL and AA were extremely similar.

[@afb2]

@@johniii8147 nope. Standard 757 configuration with the TVs in the ceiling. They never flew the lie flats to BGI as far as I know, just the occasional 767. The Delta seats have much better padding.

[@AshMundo]

I want to fly delta again just so i can fly on the pencil! 😁

[@NewEnglandAviaton987]

Wow

[@CoastEnergy]

757s are far and away my favorite narrow body to fly on. It's a shame there isn't a direct replacement for these birds. The 737 Max 10 and A321 Neo can mostly do the job on short to medium haul routes, but they still can't quite match the capabilities of the 757. Realistically the market for the MMA that Boeing was considering is probably too small for a clean sheet design, but there's still a part of me that thinks that a joint development project to re-engine both the 757 and 767 could have made sense. I guess we will never know :///

[@johniii8147]

Airlines don't agree there isn't a replacement. The 737 larger versions and the 321s are phasing out the 757. There are very few routes that the newer aircraft can't handel.

[@DaveMiller2]

@@johniii8147 Those planes are replacing the 757, but they aren't a true replacement in the sense that the 757 can still do things the newer planes can't. The Max 10 and the Neo are just the closest thing to a replacement.

[@johniii8147]

@@DaveMiller2 The things they can't do are rarely needed. Easily handle more than 95%+ of former 757 routes. Less than 20% of delivered passenger 757s are still in passenger service. Really only DL and UA fly them any more in any volume and UA's in particular will start going quickly here starting in 2024/2025.

[@ianmitchell1594]

I noticed the length of the video 9/11 😳🤷‍♂️

[@teofilobatasjr.3433]

I wonder who is the king of skies?

[@CY5588]

911 time (This video 9.11 minutes) (9.11 shown on thumbnail only)

[@Sacto1654]

But soon, Delta needs to replace the planes. That’s why Delta has a large A321neo order on the books.

[@mysterigx_]

Love the A321 Neos while the LR and XLR can beat the 757 range, it lacks the capacity of the 757-300 which is why some airliners are hesitant to replace it. That and the 757s supercritical wing and engines can get it into the sky quicker on shorter run ways. It's going to be interesting to what they will use to replace the 757.

[@johniii8147]

That and the MAX 10

[@johniii8147]

@@mysterigx_ They have plenty of orders place to replace it. The 757-300 is such a small part of their fleet it's not really a concern. They only have 16 of them.

[@jaypainespotter]

Because its bad ass. The End...😂

[@mrcaialexander2352]

It’s the versatility that makes the aircraft Michael Jordan. It can do what the current A321 and XLR can’t do. Getting the 757 into tight airfields with extreme weather conditions where as the 737 especially the 900 might suffer a performance penalty. The only way to replace this aircraft is to build a replacement with a range of 5000 miles 250-300 seats. XLR can meet economy but it can’t defeat the performance of the 757.

[@martindehavilland-fox3175]

Whoa!! Back up a bit boy... You forget, you talk about P&W engines halfway through your video and the efficiency... This was the first major Boeing that was launched with Rolls Royce engines. The 757 first flew on Rollers - so what has Pratt and Whitney got to do with it?? As a major part of this aircraft's development, it's a major ball you dropped not to mention it!

[@brad4057]

The only aircraft that can replace the 757 is a 757. The max and airbus come close, but there's something about that jet. it's just perfect. I love it

[@Mahdisabamehr]

Still don't understand why would Boeing kill 757!

[@johniii8147]

Because it wasn't selling. Pretty simple.

[@Mahdisabamehr]

@@johniii8147 but could have sustained itself for another wave of customer demand. A330 NEO has a very similar story. Not selling well now, but obviously full of opportunities in future.

[@johniii8147]

@@Mahdisabamehr Don't see that happening for the 330NEO either. Fanboys like to forget it's now been on the market for 10 years now and still at 300 sales. It's being passed over and that's not like to change.

[@Mahdisabamehr]

@@johniii8147 it is possible, however recent moves show that 330 neo is getting a momentum, especially with supply and demand being unbalanced for popular machines, delays for 787, 777, and immediate airline demands. Additionally 330 ceos are getting to their retirement age. Not guaranteed but a couple of hundreds of orders possible to sustain itself

[@gteixeira]

If you had bought 1000 Boeing 757s from Boeing, this wouldn't have happened.

[@dtsh4451]

Just stretch 787 as long and as skinny as 757 and call it 757 max🤓

[@DaveMiller2]

787 is a twin aisle. 757 is a single aisle.

[@mvanphilips]

757 is not fuel efficient compared to modern day airplanes of the last decade. All carriers should upgrade there fleet to newer, sustainable airplanes of the last decade. Passengers should be more critical of this and thus avoid flying aircrafts that are outdated and more hazordois to the environment.

[@Marqk-]

Boeing sold the planes at a loss? Then accused airbus of doing the same thing

[@kingsleydawes7244]

Retire already!!

[@mollari2261]

Delta chose the 757 to inflict maximum pain on its economy passengers. The seats are narrow, there are too many rows, and there’s no headroom. I have never been more uncomfortable on a flight than in Delta economy on their 757s. All of these positive comments must come from first class passengers. Flying pencil? More like Seattle sewer pipe.

[@mariovuksanovic5077]

If president Trump owns 757 and raves about it saying, it should be placed back into production....that is good enough for me to rave about the 757 as well!!!!

[@sSSspidermanNNn]

When was the merger with Northwest again?😂

[@johniii8147]

Just google it and don't be lazy

[@Tpr_1808]

They'll eventually be forced to phase them out for the next best thing, the xlr.

[@johniii8147]

They already have a plan in place with the 321NEO and MAX 10 orders. DL doesn't really use the 757 much for transatlantic routes anymore.

[@stevenwolff6866]

This is the aircraft that Boeing should've developed instead of the now ancient 737