Today Is The 757's 34th Birthday :-)

WA707atMSP · Thu Feb 18, 2016 10:56 pm

34 years ago today, the 757 took to the skies for the first time.

Happy Birthday to the best looking subsonic aircraft ever. Boeing and Airbus may have sold a lot more of other types of aircraft, and some other aircraft are definitely more comfortable, but no subsonic aircraft has ever been as nice to watch....or as much fun to take off in.

Hopefully, we'll be able to watch, and fly in, this magnificent aircraft for a few more years.

B757Forever · Thu Feb 18, 2016 11:57 pm

I have worked on, in and around 757s for 27 years. I never tire of looking at them. On the ground or in the air, it is truly the best looking commercial aircraft built.

DocLightning · Fri Feb 19, 2016 12:38 am

Quoting B757Forever (Reply 1):

I have worked on, in and around 757s for 27 years. I never tire of looking at them. On the ground or in the air, it is truly the best looking commercial aircraft built.

I've always taken the unpopular view that the nose looks funny (I feel the same way about the A320) and the long landing gear look a bit awkward.

But when they do a high-power takeoff, it's quite an experience.

777Jet · Fri Feb 19, 2016 1:23 am

Quoting DocLightning (Reply 2):
I've always taken the unpopular view that the nose looks funny (I feel the same way about the A320) and the long landing gear look a bit awkward.

The posture of the 757, with its 'beak' nose and tall gear, does make it unique and stand out from the crowd.

The takeoff performance does the rest

I really miss seeing and flying in 757s - we only get one regular 757 to SYD and it is cargo.

Alnicocunife · Fri Feb 19, 2016 1:32 am

757's should be airline active for at least 10-15 more years. Long live the King!!

Quoting B757Forever (Reply 1):
On the ground or in the air, it is truly the best looking commercial aircraft built.

I agree there is nothing better looking than a B757-200 with P/W's.

PEK777 · Fri Feb 19, 2016 1:38 am

long legs. big tits. nice nose. what is not to love

rj777 · Fri Feb 19, 2016 1:56 am

only 5 months older than me!

Natflyer · Fri Feb 19, 2016 2:15 am

First checked out in the 75' in 1992. except about 3,5 years flying another type in the late nineties, I have flown it (and the 767) since.
Close to 11K hrs total on both. The 767 is a better "workplace" for a pilot, but the capabilities of the 757 when required still amaze me. And
I have taken her to some very interesting places

Saw the first one today (I am currently in SEA) driving past BFI.

seabosdca · Fri Feb 19, 2016 4:11 am

Love the look -- a narrowbody with widebody "muscles." And I doubt we'll see quite the combination of capacity and capability again. But the 75 is getting awfully expensive to maintain in its old age. Within five years I expect the only major operator who uses the airplane on routes not absolutely requiring its performance will be Delta.

parapente · Fri Feb 19, 2016 4:58 am

Right now I bet Boeing was wishing it happy birthday rather than happy annerversary...

VirginFlyer · Fri Feb 19, 2016 5:50 am

A video salute to the beast

http://youtu.be/UrO6HTmF1L4

V/F

gatibosgru · Fri Feb 19, 2016 6:03 am

I've had quote a bit of journeys on this bird, always a pleasure. I actually like the A320 cause it reminds me a bit of it, so seeing the A321NEO/LR take over isn't a bad thing for me at all.

Long live the 757!

PlanesNTrains · Fri Feb 19, 2016 6:46 am

Quoting PEK777 (Reply 5):

long legs. big tits. nice nose. what is not to love

Perhaps the lack of respect for our female members?

-Dave

kiwiandrew · Fri Feb 19, 2016 6:49 am

One of my great regrets ( along with the L-1011) is that I never got to fly on a 757. They were never common in this part of the world, and have disappeared from many other parts of the globe too, even in the US which seems to be their last refuge, they are vanishing rapidly.

trent900 · Fri Feb 19, 2016 7:17 am

Quoting PEK777 (Reply 5):

long legs. big tits. nice nose. what is not to love

Quoting PlanesNTrains (Reply 12):

Perhaps the lack of respect for our female members?

-Dave

How's about 'Long legs, big balls, nice nose' for our female members

T.

notaxonrotax · Fri Feb 19, 2016 7:23 am

Mweeeah, don't like the looks of it.
Too high on the wheels.......it looks awkward!
I think it was Tdscanuck that called her the "Baby Giraffe".....which I found quite apt.

No Tax On Rotax

slcguy · Fri Feb 19, 2016 8:27 am

I love the looks of the 757. On approach with the nose up and those long legs and engines hanging down, looks like a bird of prey swooping in (usually at a slower speed than a 737/320)! Anybody that's seen a lightly loaded bird do a max performance take off in less than 2000' will remember the amazing performance!

Viper911 · Fri Feb 19, 2016 12:04 pm

It is truly one of a kind bird, I also believe this is the best looking aircraft ever built, for some reason it's height, length and it how it looks with it's long and pointy nose, make it so majestic.

I've managed to fly on quite a few of the and it's always a pleasure.

Big kudos to Boeing for producing such a wonderful machine.

Viper 911.

WA707atMSP · Fri Feb 19, 2016 12:41 pm

My first flight on a 757 was in July 1985 (when I was 17), on a Northwest 757 from BOS to DTW. Although the airplane was full, there was a light fuel load, and the takeoff was unlike anything else I'd experienced. As we were climbing out over Boston harbor, dad and I looked at one another, and almost in unison said "holy ****".

My A320 and 737 flights are so ordinary that they blend together, but the 757's high powered takeoffs mean I still remember many of my flights on this amazing airplane.

Quoting SLCGuy (Reply 16):
On approach with the nose up and those long legs and engines hanging down, looks like a bird of prey swooping in

I've always thought of the 757 as the "Pterodactyl" of airliners when it is on approach.

parapente · Fri Feb 19, 2016 12:59 pm

Reply 15

I think it was Tdscanuck that called her the "Baby Giraffe".....which I found quite apt.

Now imagine 2 super high bypass (GTF) engines on it.Now that would balance it out nicely !

AirbusA6 · Fri Feb 19, 2016 1:09 pm

I love the looks of the 757, especially its nose. Why does the 757 have a different nose to other Boeing aircraft?

Adipasquale · Fri Feb 19, 2016 2:03 pm

Quoting DocLightning (Reply 2):
I've always taken the unpopular view that the nose looks funny (I feel the same way about the A320) and the long landing gear look a bit awkward.

I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but I think the 757 is the ugliest of the Boeing narrowbodies. The 707/727/737 nose looks so much nicer, and I guess I prefer aircraft that don't have such long landing gear. Flying in a 757 though, that's an awesome experience.

Quoting AirbusA6 (Reply 20):
Why does the 757 have a different nose to other Boeing aircraft?

To accommodate the same flight deck as the 767.

PEK777 · Fri Feb 19, 2016 2:16 pm

Quoting adipasquale (Reply 21):
I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but I think the 757 is the ugliest of the Boeing narrowbodies

Mods, I suggest minimum 2 week ban from the forums for such blasphemy

tomaheath · Fri Feb 19, 2016 2:20 pm

Quoting Natflyer (Reply 7):

There's a 757 on display there?

717atOGG · Fri Feb 19, 2016 2:47 pm

Quoting tomaheath (Reply 23):
E

No. He might have seen the modified one by Boeing or a cargo one there, such as one of UPS's.

Anrigu · Fri Feb 19, 2016 3:00 pm

Since I retired and had to start paying for premium travel to Paris, I've spent a lot of time on the 757s of L'Avion and then Openskies and just love the plane. Maybe because of the all premium cabin, but it doesn't feel 'narrow body' but rather more...intimate but roomy and civilized...like the old days we all pine over. And of course that take off surge...it is a rush. You know this plane's a little different. Like a refined sportscar. If only......it could go on and on.

longhauler · Fri Feb 19, 2016 3:09 pm

Children Children Children .... THIS is the best looking subsonic aircraft ever built!

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Photo © Richard hugo walker

And if you a want kick in the pants, slide your foreskin back, stretch your face take-off, nothing beats four Conways making a hell of a racket!

I know this is all subjective and said tongue-in-cheek. But for me, I never considered the B757 attractive ... it was more tough looking, like the Electra.

But congrats to Boeing. The B757 is a hell of a machine. Slow in the start to sell, but sure made up for it in the end!

Max752 · Fri Feb 19, 2016 3:23 pm

I always thought the 757's main gear resembled the legs or talons of an eagle. Next time you look at a 757 just look at the gear and then imagine an eagle. They look a lot alike. The bird is simply majestic and I will always have fond memories of that bird.

God, the sound of those engines after takeoff are to die for.

-Max

skybird77 · Fri Feb 19, 2016 3:23 pm

Such a versatile bird! It's the plane I've flown the most in the last 20 years. I'll really miss flying in/out of TGU on it (now replaced by A319's). Long live the 757!

sspontak · Fri Feb 19, 2016 4:32 pm

The 757 is still one of my favorite planes. I fly it often on Delta. My first flight on a 757 was back in 1983 on Eastern from ATL to LGA with a stop in CLT. Eastern served a pancake breakfast on the CLT to LGA leg. The 757 is a nice ride. The 757 looked great on the tail.

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Photo © Bob Garrard

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Photo © Anthony Vallillo

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Photo © William L.B.J. Dekker

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Photo © AirNikon Collection-Pima Air and Space Museum

fokkerf28 · Fri Feb 19, 2016 4:34 pm

I 've been working in ops for the past 20 years with the 757 and performance wise nothing can equal the capabilities of this magnificent narrow body.

SJCMSP · Fri Feb 19, 2016 4:41 pm

I remember my first 757 flight was in 1993 on an HP bird ORD-PHX. It was a late substitution and I was quite excited as I saw it pull into our gate. I've since had dozens of flights on several different airlines, but this is the one I think of when I think of the 757.

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Photo © N94504

[Edited 2016-02-19 08:44:13]

rbavfan · Fri Feb 19, 2016 5:08 pm

Quoting trent900 (Reply 14):
How's about 'Long legs, big balls, nice nose' for our female members

T.

Length would be everything in that comment, not the big balls.

peanuts · Fri Feb 19, 2016 5:11 pm

It would've looked great in KLM livery

Seriously, if one can dream of having the funds to own a private aircraft, 757 would probably win it.

Quoting Max752 (Reply 27):
Next time you look at a 757 just look at the gear and then imagine an eagle.

The 757 has always struck me as a predator bird lookalike.

American 767 · Fri Feb 19, 2016 5:11 pm

Quoting WA707atMSP (Thread starter):
Hopefully, we'll be able to watch, and fly in, this magnificent aircraft for a few more years.

That's exactly my thought. She is so nice to look at and fly on. Back in the old days of my life, I had feeling for the 727, being frustrated when I would not get to fly on one, do everything I could do to fly on those before they retire...now it's the same with the 757. Whenever I plan a trip, the first thing I look at is see if I can get a 757. Why? Because I know they won't stay for ever in service with the airlines. Their days will soon be numbered. Her look and her performances make her unique. I'm just attracted to her physically.

If 757 is food, I have been "starving" last year, more than the whole summer...for at least six months. I finally got to "eat" in late October when I finally was able to fly on a 757 from JFK to MIA after not flying in one for almost a year. Imagine this: you are hungry, your stomach is screaming, your lunch is waiting for you, and other people prevent you to eat because they are asking you to do them a favor...I felt the same with the 757 last summer. Oh boy I was so hungry and deprived of energy. Late October I was finally able to calm down my hunger, and I treated myself with another 757 a month later.

When I flew back to New York from Paris, I was supposed to fly on a 767, the flight was canceled and I was rebooked on another TATL flight which was a 757. Most people don't like the idea of flying a 757 TATL but I do. And this was Jan 1st of this year. What a treat! What a beautiful way to start the year! I flew on a BA 757, operated by Open Skies. Oh boy how beautiful she was to look at. I had a last look at her on T7 at JFK, on my way back home, what a beautiful date I had for over eight hours with her. She was soooo pretty.
I remember the tasty champagne on board.

I gotta fly on at least one more 757 this year before it's too late!

Ben Soriano

rbavfan · Fri Feb 19, 2016 5:27 pm

Quoting SLCGuy (Reply 16):

Always liked the 146/Avro coming in. Looking like a bird with its claws (main gear) out.

readytotaxi · Fri Feb 19, 2016 5:32 pm

My one and only flight on a 757 was in 1986, I went to see Halleys Comet.
For the sum of £20 BA operated an evening flight from LHR T1 which lasted about 1hr. There was a lecture which lasted about 15 minutes and then on to the aircraft and off to the coast of Wales. Once there there were a series of banking turns left and right so both sides of the cabin could see the comet, it was very clear at about 20k feet.
We then took turns in groups of 5 to visit the open cockpit for a few minutes to ask questions of the crew and then land back at LHR, was a great evening out and a great airplane.

AirbusA6 · Fri Feb 19, 2016 6:02 pm

A very important plane for Rolls-Royce, as it was its sales of the RB211-535 on the 757 which kept it relevant in the civil aviation market after the demise of the Tristar, and built up a happy customer base outside of the BA and "Commonwealth" orders for RB211 powered 747s!

BravoOne · Fri Feb 19, 2016 6:41 pm

Quoting longhauler (Reply 26):

Children Children Children .... THIS is the best looking subsonic aircraft ever built!
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I would have to agree with you. That is an beautiful airplane. Rode the jumps seat on East African many years ago from Nairobi to London. A spectacular performer for it's day/

normie999 · Fri Feb 19, 2016 6:53 pm

Chocks away!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEoDW6t0SWE

airzona11 · Fri Feb 19, 2016 6:55 pm

Looks wise, 757 wins. There is something nostalgic to the glory days of flying, boarding through L2 and turning left to sit up front.

David L · Fri Feb 19, 2016 7:42 pm

Quoting longhauler (Reply 26):
THIS is the best looking subsonic aircraft ever built!

Spot on! The 757 has "a great personality", however.

Adipasquale · Fri Feb 19, 2016 7:49 pm

As I said before, I think the 707, 727, and 737 look better, but that does not mean I think the 757 looks bad per se, but besides the nose, which I mentioned earlier, the rear lower lobe being larger than the front makes it look a bit odd. You can really tell in this pic that's currently on the homepage.

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rampbro · Fri Feb 19, 2016 9:53 pm

The birthday girl in her element:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_z5HtME9n8

We've all seen it but it's just SO GOOD!

treebeard787 · Fri Feb 19, 2016 9:55 pm

The 757 is a great looking aircraft, and one I'm glad to have flown on many times over the years.

The most memorable take-off on one I remember was out of SNA to PHX, on a half full HP 752, it felt more like a rocket than an airplane, never forget that.

777Jet · Sat Feb 20, 2016 12:34 am

Quoting PlanesNTrains (Reply 12):
Quoting PEK777 (Reply 5):

long legs. big tits. nice nose. what is not to love

Perhaps the lack of respect for our female members?

Quoting trent900 (Reply 14):
How's about 'Long legs, big balls, nice nose' for our female members

Big Balls is much more appropriate as that is indeed what the 757 has

SpaceshipDC10 · Sat Feb 20, 2016 11:29 am

Quoting adipasquale (Reply 21):
I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but I think the 757 is the ugliest of the Boeing narrowbodies.

So wrong. It's the 737 that leads the pack of ugliness. The 757 is very graceful. I wish there was a fleet wearing the bud-lite livery.

chrisnh · Sat Feb 20, 2016 1:29 pm

The captain of our 757-300 (UA 242, SFO-BOS, N57855) wished his plane a 'Happy Birthday' yesterday over the PA as we climbed out.

GDB · Sat Feb 20, 2016 7:23 pm

Though I first saw a 757 at the 1982 Farnborough Airshow, first time up close was about 6 months later newly at BA, me and the 757.
In the now demolished TBB hangar, where our Concorde fleet, as well as the odd VIP 707 from places like Qatar were serviced, I well remember the gleaming, factory fresh 757.
The modern, quiet engines and that cockpit, it was quite the culture shock to see a 707 flightdeck, essentially 1950's, then go right to the 'video game' set up in the 757.

bendewire · Sat Feb 20, 2016 9:42 pm

I bet we'll never see another airliner so versatile in one model guise (757-200) short, medium and Long haul, hot and high, short runways, and safety and reliability is perhaps second to none!

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