The Boeing 757 first flew on 19 February 1982.
It was designed as a follow-up to the success of the Boeing 727, and designed in parallel with the widebody 767. The pair incorporated a modern, two-man cockpit with new style avionics and capabilities.
Now, more than 40 years later, the 757 is still going strong, but numbers are slowly diminishing as older aircraft are retired.
Here are the ten oldest Boeing 757s that are still flying, at the time of writing:
N757A
(cn 22212/1)
The prototype Boeing 757 is still officially active. It has been converted into the ‘Catfish’ designation – an advanced avionics laboratory in the air, with unusual extended nose and wing-like device above the cockpit. It wears military colours.
N757HW
(cn 22194/5)
The Honeywell Boeing 757 N757HW in 2023. Photo (c) joolsgriff
Flying as a testbed for Honeywell International, this was the fifth 757 produced, in 1983. It previously flew for Eastern Air Lines and Airtours International/MyTravel Airways.
N936FD
(cn 23293/56)
Built in 1985, this was one of the 757s which flew for British charter carrier Monarch Airlines, as G-MONE. It was retired by that airline in 2008, and FedEx took it on, converting it to a freighter.
N783SP
(cn 22611/75)
Recently taken on by the charity Samaritan’s Purse, this 1985-vintage aircraft previously flew for Eastern Air Lines, Air 2000 and Air Atlanta Icelandic.
N990FD
(cn 22909/101)
One of Delta Air Lines’ earliest Boeing 757 deliveries, as N619DL, this aircraft was converted into a freighter in 2012 and now flies for FedEx.
UP-B5701
(cn 23454/102)
Photo (c) BriYYZ
Delivered to Royal Brunei Airlines in 1986, this early 757 was sold to Kazakhstan in 1995 and took on a role as a VIP transport aircraft for the country’s government and air force.
N991FD
(cn 22911/112)
Like N990FD, above, this aircraft also flew for Delta for many years before being converted to a freighter and embarking on a new life with FedEx Express. It was built in 1986.
G-BMRA
(cn 23710/123)
Photo (c) Anna Zvereva
British Airways was one of the early carriers to fly the 757. The oldest of their former 757 fleet is this aircraft, which was delivered in 1987 and flew with the airline until 2001. It was later converted to a freighter and now flies for DHL Air.
C-GIAJ
(cn 23767/127)
In 1987 a brand new UK charter airline was launched, named Air 2000. It began life by ordering brand new Boeing 757 aircraft, and this airframe was the first to arrive. It was previously registered G-OOOA. In later life it became a freighter, and today flies for Cargojet Airways as C-GIAJ.
N937FD
(cn 23895/132)
Finishing the list off is another FedEx Boeing 757. This was another aircraft with a British heritage, having been delivered to Monarch Airlines as G-DRJC in 1987, and then flying for Britannia Airways as G-BYAM. It later flew for National Airlines, and was sold to FedEx in 2010.
Title image: 757 Prototype (c) Andrew W. Sieber
Boeing 757 Timelines
For a comprehensive history of the Boeing 757, its development, different variants and the airlines that fly (or flew) it, try our new book Boeing 757 Timelines. It includes many historic photographs, as well as in-depth looks at some of the 757 airline fleets.
Available Here: Amazon | Destinworld Publishing
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