Delta Just Ordered the 797…sort of

I'll tell you why Delta is not interested in the A321 XLR as a replacement for the 757, it's because the A321XLR is NOT a replacement for the 757. Everyone focuses on range, range, range, that's not what is special about the 757, it's the performance, the wing. The 757 can take off out of SNA 5700' runway full people, fuel and bags/cargo and fly cross country, at high Flight Levels and with IFR reserves for two alternates. It can fly to all the mountainous cities Delta serves such as SJO, GUA, BOG, UIO and many others. Except for the 737-700, nothing has the performance to do it without ridiculous gimmicks to make it out of those cities. Gimmicks like Packs-off takeoffs or APU-to-bleed takeoffs and performance so bad you have to leave with less than full passengers, fuel and/or bags/cargo, taking delays to take-off against the traffic flow due to runway downslope and/or wind restrictions on performance etc. Boeing and Airbus are so proud of their 737NG's, 737Max's, A321s, bragging those aircraft have fuel savings greater than 20% over the aircraft they replace. Heck, they have 20% less performance, so yeah that's where your fuel savings comes from. Also, the new 737s and A321s are so performance limited they're stuck at the lower flight levels unable to top the weather. This requires weather deviations equally hundreds of miles on a typical summer cross-country flight (there goes your fuel savings). So the A321XLR is no replacement for the 757, all they've done is add more fuel tanks to the A321NEO. Big whoop...But hey everyone loves the new jet smell.

The takeoff from John Wayne Airport (SNA) in a 757 was a thrill. The power up of the engines, the releasing of the brakes, the g-force during the steep climb, the sense of weightlessness during noise abatement over Newport Beach, and the power up over the Pacific. It was a wonderful ride.

In my near 50 years alive I have flown more times than I can remember on everything from a BAC 1-11 to the A380 but the only plane the really left an impression on me was a near empty RR powered 757 with an "enthusiastic" pilot, what a machine to experience in the right hands!

Not only is the 757 my favorite plane of all time. Its great u can put it anywhere. High altitude airports short runways etc whatever. And its a bad ass hot rod of jets. Power to weight ratio is jus amazing

Delta also flew the awesome Lockheed L-1011 tri jets that were built in Palmdale California as well from the 1970's to 2001. My favorite plane.

I wish the Lockheed L1011 was still in production! It’s vertical lift wing made it a joy to fly in! It was reliable, quiet, and felt like you were flying around in someone’s living room! Those were great days for sure!

It might be old but the 757 is still a looker.

The 757 is by far my favorite narrow body jet. It’s a shame there are so few of them left in service

I hope Boeing makes the 797 just as stunningly beautiful. The 757 is like a supermodel, a little gray, but has kept in shape & is still getting the gigs.

I have flown 6 jets in my career. My least favorite was the 727. It was over engineered and required a sharp Flight Engineer to keep in sync. The A-300 was a fantastic airplane in its mission profile. A good money maker. The 757-200 was my first "electric jet" and took some time for me to adapt to the computer interface but when I mastered it, I loved the airplane. The 767-200/400 were the same type rating as the 757. the 200 was a fat 757 with more range and cargo space. The 400 elevated the cockpit to the 777 layout and was stretched to the max. The problem was at max weight it was a 30,000 foot airplane. Down in the weather and turbulence. I avoided the 400. I lover the 777-200. It was my retirement airplane and I cannot say enough good about the airplane. My other airplane which I flew a two airlines was the DC-8. A new pilot or flight engineer soon learns that the DC does not stand for Douglas Commercial but DIRECT CABLE. I flew the 61, 62, 63 71 and 73 models. The airplane was dirt clod simple compared to Boeing and extremely dependable. most of the 707s were reduced to beer cans while the Dougs keep on flying. Almost 80 percent of my flying is long haul international. Customers much prefer a 757 over a 737 sardine can because of the seat width and ceiling height. I am tied for a favorite airplane between a B-777 and a DC-8. The 777 is probably the best airplane ever built. But the DC-8 was the best of its time. The 797 needs to replace the 757 or Boeing needs to restart the 757 line with a more fuel efficient engine with the power of the Rolls Royce RB-211. The PW 757 was a dog.

I love the 757. It’s the muscle car of airliners. Years ago I was walking through the Atlanta airport instead of taking the tram and I asked a Delta pilot what’s a pilots favorite plane to fly and he didn’t hesitate and said 757. His reason – it’s got power to spare

I love the 757! The power blasts the plane upward and flies smoothly! And it is beautiful!

Since Delta is a core-757 user it can probably keep it flying better than other airlines. Is it thirsty? Yes. So you'll want to only use it where you have too. But which airline owns its own oil refinery? Delta.

I've always loved the 757, and the more I learn about it the more I like it.

Boeing is doing the right thing. It knows the engines on the 757 is a large part of what made it unique. A 797 with the currently available engines would be a "me too" or "also ran" product. It also gives Boeing a chance to finish outstanding certifications and ramp up 787, 737 and 777X production. With that out of the way it can use advances made in these 2 or 3 years on the new design along with the latest, more desirable, engines. Some are not understanding the title. It means by ordering the MAX 10 Delta has shown its intention to buying the 797. Not that it has ordered the yet to be designed plane.

The “flying pencil” is the second best looking airliner next to the B-707. That iconic design will never be surpassed in looks alone.

Some people who don’t get past the first minute of this video might think it’s clickbait. But it’s actually such a well craft analyses that makes a ton of sense. Good work Coby 👍🏼

The 757-200 is a beautiful jet. It would be cool to see the 797 be basically a carbon fiber body 757 with bigger engines.

If Delta keeps flying the 757 into the 2030s it’ll become Avgeeks favorite airlines

The 757 was one of the best planes ever built, i hope Delta keeps it as long as possible and that the 797 keeps a similar design to the 757