Both the 757 and 767 are both long haul aircraft made by Boeing. However, they are very similar but also very different.
When you think of a long haul aircraft made by Boeing, many people think of the famous Boeing 747. However, more 757 and 767s have been produced when compared to the 747!
757 vs 767: Narrow Body vs Wide Body
Perhaps one of the largest and most distinguishable differences between the 757 and 767 is their size. The 757 is a narrow body aircraft whereas the 767 is a wide body aircraft.
What is Narrow Body?
Narrow body is as the name implies, is where the fuselage of the aircraft (the body) is narrow (shocker!) That is to say, that a narrow body has only two rows of seating, as standard and recommended by the manufacturer.
These two rows can contain a vast array of configurations, but the most common are: two-two, two-three, and three-three. Other configurations include: one-one and one-two.
For the 757, the most common are the latter two, especially in economy class. In business class, a two-two configuration is common, as is a one-one configuration in first class.
What is Wide Body?
Wide body is the complete opposite of narrow body. Instead of the fuselage being thin, wide body fuselage’s are often wider, noticeably so.
Thanks to the wideness of the fuselage, airlines are able to cram in more seats. Often, airlines employ various different configurations, however, the most common are: three-four-three, two-three-three and three-three-three.
For the 767, the most common are the latter two in economy class. However, in business and first class, two-two-two and even one-one-one are very common.
757 vs 767: The Basics
Before we can truly compare both the 757 and 767, we need to know a little backstory.
757
The idea of the 757 came during the 1970’s. Boeing had just released their incredibly successful 747, and realized that they needed to upgrade their 727 family, for short to medium haul flights.
Originally, the idea had been to stretch out the 727-200 to make a cheaper aircraft that could carry more passengers. Initially, airlines, especially United Airlines were interested in it.
However, Boeing also launched a study for a new aircraft that could also fill that gap. This aircraft was designated the 7N7. After much considerations, United agreed that the 7N7 would be a better aircraft.
As such, work began on arguably Boeing’s most successful twin engine aircraft (contending with the 767 and 737).
At the same time, Boeing began drawing up plans and then began designing what it called the 7X7. This aircraft would later become the 767.
Both the 757 and 767 (7N7 and 7X7) were developed in tandem. As a result, much of the same technology was used for both aircraft. However, designers made sure to make the aircraft dissimilar enough to avoid the issues that plagued the A330 and A340!
The 7N7 first debuted at Farnborough Airshow in 1982. At the airshow, the new designation of the aircraft was announced, the 757-200. The 757 was first introduced in January 1983 with Eastern Airlines.
767
In the 1970’s, Boeing was riding high on the release of the 747. However, it realized that some airline didn’t have the capacity to fly a wide body like the 747, but still had use for a wide body.
Boeing also realized that its successful 707 was ageing and needed a replacement before McDonnell filled that gap. As a result of that and their new 7N7 project, they launched the 7X7.
As stated before, they were developed in tandem, and featured much of the same technology inside the aircraft itself.
Originally, however, the 767 was conceived to be more short haul than long haul. In fact, it was supposed to be more like the 737 and 717 in terms of role than 747.
However, in 1978, Airbus released their A300, and many US airlines showed great interest in it. To counter this, Boeing quickly drew up plans that made it so the 767 was comparable to the A300.
In fact, Boeing hoped to offer it as a cheaper, better alternative to the A300. Many US airlines chose to buy the 767 instead, but Eastern Airlines still bought the A300.
Boeing rolled out the 767 (then still called the 7X7) at Farnborough airshow in 1982, the same time as the 757. There, just as with the 757, the 767 was officially designated as the 767-200.
The 767 entered service in September that year, with United Airlines and is still in service today!
757 vs 767: Specs
The 757 and 767 are also very similar in terms of their specifications. Although several variants of each aircraft exist, the specifications will include those from the main variant of both aircraft.
| Specifications | 757-200 | 767-200 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 155 ft 3 in (47.3 m) | 159 ft 2 in (48.51 m) |
| Width | 11 ft 6 in (3.54 m) | 15 feet 6 inches (4.72 m) |
| Height | 44 ft 6 in (13.6 m) | 17 ft 9 in (5.41 m) |
| Seats | 200-239 | 174-214 |
| Cruise speed | Mach 0.8 (461 kn; 854 km/h) | Mach 0.82 (486 kn; 900 km/h) |
| Range | 3,915 nmi (7,250 km) | 3,900 nmi (7,200 km) |
| MTOW | 255,000 lb (115.66 t) | 315,000 lb (142.9 t) |
| Take off | 6,800 ft (2,070 m) | 6,300 ft (1,900 m) |
757 vs 767: Today
Today, both the 757 and 767 are still flying. Several variants of the aircraft still exist, and both have been turned into military aircraft!
757
To date, 1050 757s have been produced, between 1982 and 2004. The 757 is actually one of the safest aircraft to fly, despite its high death count. (Most of these deaths are as a result of 757 hijackings on 9/11).
Of the 1050 757s produced, 643 are still flying at the time of writing. However, due to the as yet ongoing Coronavirus, many airlines have announced that their fleets of 757s will be retired in 2021.
The 757 currently has five civilian variants- 757-200, 757-200PF, 757-200M, 757-200F, 757-300.
To accompany those civilian variants, there have also been several military and experimental 757s. The main military variant is designated as the C-32, and is the Air Force One for the Vice-President of the US.
The 757 has also been turned into a private jet as well. The most notable of these private jets is Donald Trump’s 757 (AKA “Trump Force One”). However, the Saudi Royal Family also use it too.
Before winding up in the ownership of Donald Trump, Trump Force One was owned by Paul Allen (co-founder of Microsoft). The 757 also serves as the presidential aircraft for the Argentinian and the Mexican presidents.
The Government of Kazakhstan also has a 757 as their executive aircraft.
767
To date, the 767 is still in production, however this is solely for the cargo and freight versions rather than the passenger version. To date, 1186 767s have been produced as of the time of writing.
Mirroring its older brother, the 757, the 767 also is looking to be phased out of airline’s fleets by 2021. The aircraft is simply too old, and too fuel-consuming for airlines to continue to operate.
This is especially true when you factor in the loss of ticket sales as a result of coronavirus.
Boeing currently considers the 767’s successor to be the 787. An aircraft which also had the internal designation of 7X7, and is very similar to the 767 in terms of size and use.
Currently, the 767 has six civilian variants, including: 767-200, 767-200ER, 767-300, 767-300ER, 767-300F, 767-400ER.
The military too saw the promise of the 767. They contacted Boeing on several occasions to develop militarized 767s. These variants include: E-767, KC-767, KC-767 Advanced tanker, KC-46 and E-10 MC2A.
The 767, just like the 757, is a very safe aircraft. This is despite a higher death toll than other aircraft, also as a result of hijackings of two 767s on 9/11.
Russian Billionaire Roman Abramovich also owns a private 767 for his own personal use. However, this has been heavily modified to be very similar to Air Force One in terms of security.
757 vs 767: Opinions
I asked several groups of people the question of “757 vs 767: Which is better?”
Pilots
As usual, I was able to find several former 757 and several former 767 pilots.
The 757 pilots spoke of the elegance of the 757 (something I agree with). And how the 757 is designed to look sleek and perhaps one of the best aircraft in the world.
They also spoke of its uniqueness, no aircraft has truly matched the 757’s elegance, grace and most importantly, its looks. Not even the similar Tu 204!
The 767 pilots also spoke of the 767’s ease of handling. Unlike many other aircraft, especially ones of that size, the 767 is extremely easy to handle once you get the hang of it.
Surprisingly, the 767 also spoke about the elegance of the 767. It’s lumbering appearance and Il-86-style takeoff is all part of that elegance, just as the clean takeoff is for the 757!
Passengers
I also interviewed several passengers of both the 757 and 767. Indeed many of them had flown on both the 757 and 767.
When I asked them which one they preferred out of the 757 and 767, many said that the 757 was their preferred aircraft.
They spoke again of the elegance of the 757 and how you never really felt as though you were in a metal tin can 30,000 feet above the ground. They also spoke of how the seats were often better on the 757 too!
However, some disagreed and said that the 767 was much comfier (although these people had traveled in business and first class!) They argued that the seats were much comfier and roomier.
Avgeeks
I asked several avgeeks which aircraft was superior. Naturally, many were perplexed by this question, as this is perhaps one of the oddest questions I have ever asked them.
Soon, many became part of one of three groups- pro-757, pro-767 and neither.
Many of the people who preferred the 757, spoke about how iconic it is. There is perhaps no other aircraft past or present that looks quite like it, and it’s something that is perhaps one of the most recognizable Boeing aircraft!
Politics aside, if billionaire businessmen like Paul Allen and Donald Trump are going to fly a private 757, then it’s surely worth something!
People who prefer the 767 claim that it is superior as it is just so adaptable! Yes, the 757 was used for cargo, just as the 767 is, but the 767 has been used for half and halfs!
That is to say, that the 767 has had half passengers in the front of the aircraft, with the rear of the aircraft being full of cargo! However, this was mostly in US military use and not commercial use.
Me
As a former pilot, I would often see both 757s and 767s coming in to land and taking off. I always used to admire the elegance of both aircraft.
However, I always admired the 757 more. I don’t know why, but the 757 always used to seem more elegant than the 767. Almost as if it was trying to impress onlookers.
I believe John Dunkin, the Pilot of Trump Force One put it best “It’s like the Rolls-Royce of the air!” (and Trump’s 757 is actually powered by Rolls-Royce engines too!)
Summary
The 767 is a far wider and slightly longer aircraft when compared to the 757. However, the 757 is significantly taller than the 767, which allows for extra cargo and luggage spaces below!
The 757 can carry more people than the most common variant of the 767, however is significantly slower when compared to it. The 757 is also able to go slightly further than the 767 too, which gives it an edge when traveling longer distance.
The 757 is overall a lighter aircraft. However, when it comes to taking off, the 767 has much more powerful engines which allow it to take off far quicker!
757 vs 767- Who wins? Tell me in the comments!