The Boeing 757 has earned its place in aviation history. A firm favorite amongst airlines and aviation enthusiasts alike, the venerable Boeing narrowbody has graced the skies for over 40 years. The aircraft’s combination of long range, good performance and passenger capacity means the 757 ticks a very specific box for operators, and without a replacement from Boeing, many airlines are holding on to these aging aircraft for as long as possible. This is particularly notable in the United States, where legacy carriers such as Delta and United operate a significant number of the aircraft. The story is a little different in Europe, where the type is less prolific, but still vital to the airlines that operate it. We used Flightradar24 data to examine the key trends behind Boeing 757 operations in Europe.
How many 757s are active in Europe today?
According to Flightradar24 data, there are a total of 582 active Boeing 757 aircraft in Europe as of July 2023. 43% of these are passenger aircraft, and the remaining 57% are freighters (or are primarily used as cargo aircraft).
| Year | Cargo aircraft | Passenger aircraft |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 322 | 353 |
| 2022 | 367 | 262 |
| 2023 | 337 | 245 |
Who are the largest European operators?
Our data reveals that Icelandair (FI) is currently the most prolific 757 operator in Europe. The Icelandic flag carrier operated 3,105 flights between 1 January and 30 June 2023. Icelandair has actually increased 757 flights by 6% in comparison to the same period in 2022. The other top operators of the type are Jet2 (LS), Condor (DE), Azur Air (ZF), and Privilege Style (P6).
Where can you catch a 757 in Europe?
The most popular destinations served by 757 aircraft in Europe are Reykjavík (KEF), Manchester (MAN), Dusseldorf (DUS), Frankfurt (FRA), and Edinburgh (EDI). Unsurprisingly, these are bases for Icelandair, Jet2 and Condor. The aircraft most commonly serve popular leisure destinations such as Tenerife (TFN), Palma de Mallorca (PMI) and Gran Canaria (LPA). Moscow also scores highly thanks to the services operated by Azur Airlines, though that one might prove trickier to visit from other European destinations.
What’s the outlook for the Boeing 757 in Europe?
We will inevitably see a reduction in passenger services operated by Boeing 757 family aircraft in Europe as airlines upgrade their fleets with more efficient aircraft. The 757-200 is likely to be the primary victim, with some of the largest operators eyeing up aircraft from the Airbus A321neo family as replacements. Icelandair placed an order for 17 of these aircraft in July 2023 (13 A321XLR and 4 A321LR). As we discussed on episode 224 of our AvTalk podcast, this just so happens to be the same number of 757-200 aircraft currently in the fleet. The airline also operates a pair of 757-300 aircraft, for which there is no realistic like-for-like replacement available.
Further south, Jet2 increased an existing A321neo order up to 60 aircraft in 2022, with 15 options remaining. Whilst this forms part of a wider fleet shift from an aging fleet of 737NGs and 757s, it seems clear that the A321s are intended to directly replace the airline’s 8 Boeing 757-200 aircraft.
What is less certain is timing. Global supply chains have taken a hammering in recent months, largely thanks to the war in Ukraine. All the major OEMs are experiencing huge delays in delivering aircraft and a significant backlog of orders. With the bulk of Icelandair and Jet2’s Airbus deliveries set to land from 2029, it is likely we will see the 757 continuing in European passenger service throughout this decade.
Have you flown on the Boeing 757? Share your memories of the aircraft with us on Facebook, twitter or Instagram.
Cover photo: Jeremy Denton, JetPhotos
