Since the Wright brothers took to the skies, aviation has come a long way. In this post, we’ll stack two of Boeing’s most popular models against each other: the 747 vs the 757. Sounds like a fight between titans, right?
| Boeing 747-300 | Boeing 757-300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufactured: | 1983 – 1990 | 1998 – 2004 |
| Price: | $83 million (1982) | $80 million (2002) |
| General | ||
| Engine: | 4× Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7 / Rolls-Royce RB211-524 / GE CF6 | 2× Rolls-Royce RB211-535E4/B, Pratt & Whitney PW2000-40/43 |
| Engine type: | Turbofan | Turbofan |
| Thrust: | 4 × 56,900 lbf · 253 kN | 2 × 43,500 lbf · 193 kN |
| Avionics: | Honeywell Avionics | Rockwell Collins Avionics |
| Wing Tips: | No winglets | Blended tips |
| Seats: | 496 | 295 economy · 243 business |
| Dimensions | ||
| Cabin width: | 19 ft 11 in · 6.08 m | 11 ft 7 in · 3.54 m |
| Cabin height: | 8 ft 4 in · 2.54 m | 6 ft 12 in · 2.13 m |
| Cabin length: | 187 ft 0 in · 57.00 m | 141 ft 9 in · 43.21 m |
| Exterior length: | 231 ft 10 in · 70.66 m | 178 ft 7 in · 54.43 m |
| Tail height: | 63 ft 4 in · 19.30 m | 44 ft 9 in · 13.64 m |
| Fuselage diameter: | 21 ft 4 in · 6.49 m | 12 ft 4 in · 3.76 m |
| Wing span / rotor: | 195 ft 8 in · 59.64 m | 124 ft 10 in · 38.06 m |
| Baggage volume: | 6,180 ft³ · 175.0 m³ | 2,384 ft³ · 67.5 m³ |
| Weights | ||
| Max takeoff weight: | 753,000 lb · 341,500 kg | 273,000 lb · 124,000 kg |
| Max landing weight: | 564,000 lb · 256,000 kg | 224,000 lb · 101,500 kg |
| Max Payload: | 146,000 lb · 66,500 kg | 68,000 lb · 30,900 kg |
| Fuel capacity: | 48,450 gal · 183,400 L · 146,700 kg (Jet A) | 11,500 gal · 43,500 L · 34,800 kg (Jet A) |
| Performance | ||
| Max cruise speed: | 507 kt · 583 mph · 939 km/h | 496 kt · 571 mph · 919 km/h |
| Approach speed (Vref): | 142 kt · 163 mph · 263 km/h | 140 kt · 161 mph · 259 km/h |
| Range: | 6,330 nm · 7,280 mi · 11,720 km | 3,467 nm · 3,990 mi · 6,420 km |
| Fuel burn: | - | 0.30 nm/gal · 0.15 km/L |
| Ceiling: | 45,100 ft · 13,700 m | 42,000 ft · 12,800 m |
| Rate of climb: | 2,000 ft/min · 10 m/s | 3,500 ft/min · 18 m/s |
| Takeoff distance: | 10,800 ft · 3,300 m | 8,550 ft · 2,600 m |
| Landing distance: | 6,900 ft · 2,110 m | 5,100 ft · 1,550 m |
| More Info: | Boeing 747-300 | Boeing 757-300 |
|
Data presented is for entertainment purposes and should not be used operationally.
|
||
Other Boeing 757-300 comparisons:
About the Boeing 747
In air travel, there’s nothing quite like a Boeing 747. Dubbed the “Queen of the Skies,” It is not only an aviation icon but also one of the most recognizable planes in the world.
Why was it developed and built?
The Boeing 747 has a long and storied history. It was first introduced in 1958 and hailed as a revolutionary design.
What purpose does it serve?
The maiden 747 was developed as a passenger jetliner and cargo hauler. It is most often used to transport large numbers of passengers, such as those on long-distance international flights.
It also serves as a mainstay of cargo transport, carrying large amounts of freight in its broad and robust fuselage.
About the Boeing 757
The Boeing 757 is another popular passenger jetliner in commercial use. With more than 1,050 examples built, the maiden 757 remains one of the most popular jetliners ever produced.
Why was it developed and built?
The Boeing 757 was produced from 1981 to 2004. The aircraft was designed to replace the larger, less fuel-efficient maiden 727 on short and medium-range routes.
What purpose does it serve?
The Boeing 757 has been used for both passenger and cargo transportation. Its size, range, and fuel efficiency have made it ideal for short-haul flights. It is often used by airlines for point-to-point services.
How are the Boeing 747 and Boeing 757 different?
The Boeing 747 and Boeing 757 are two iconic airplanes in the sky. They are both large, twin-engine jets that can seat hundreds of passengers.
But despite their similarities, there are also some key differences between these two planes. Here are the most important ones:
Size:
The Boeing 747 is a much larger aircraft than the Boeing 757. It has a much longer fuselage, wingspan, and greater structural strength. Think of it like the difference between a compact and a larger SUV.
Range:
The Boeing 757 has a greater range than the Boeing 747 due to its smaller size and more fuel-efficient engines. It can fly further and for longer periods. So if you’re looking for a plane with longer-range capability, the Boeing 757 is your best bet.
Performance:
The Boeing 747 has superior performance to the 757, thanks to its larger engines and greater structural strength. It is faster, more maneuverable, and can operate in more challenging environments.
Layout:
The Boeing 747 has a wider fuselage and can accommodate more passengers, making it ideal for long-haul flights. The Boeing 757 was designed for short-haul flights, with a narrower fuselage and fewer seats.
Fuel capacity:
The Boeing 747 has a much larger fuel tank than the Boeing 757, making it more suitable for long-haul flights. It’s also more economical to fly. Remember, the bigger the plane, the more fuel it needs to fly.
So, the Boeing 747 and Boeing 757 are two of the most iconic airplanes in aviation. Both planes offer excellent capabilities for passenger and cargo transport, but they vary greatly in size, range, performance, and layout. Now let’s jump on similarities 🙂
How are the Boeing 747 and Boeing 757 similar?
Though the Boeing 747 and Boeing 757 are two very different aircraft, they have quite a few similarities. Here are five key similarities between these two iconic planes.
- Both the 747 and Boeing 757 were designed with long-haul flights in mind.
- They both have a similar flight deck layout.
- Both aircraft are equipped with winglets to improve fuel efficiency.
- The engines on both the Boeing 747 and Boeing 757 are mounted on pylons below the wings.
- Both planes share a design feature known as a T-tail.
Though they might look different outside, the Boeing 747 and Boeing 757 have quite a bit in common. From their long-haul flight capabilities to their T-tail designs, these two aircraft share more than you might think!
What’s better about the Boeing 747?
Here are a few reasons why the Boeing 747 is the best plane ever built.
- For starters, it’s size. The Boeing 747 is a true behemoth, dwarfing even the largest of today’s passenger jets.
- It can accommodate up to 660 passengers (in a high-density configuration) and has a range of over 8,560 to 14,320 km.
- Don’t forget the reliability. The Boeing 747 has an exceptional safety record thanks to its simple yet effective design.
- It’s widely considered to be one of the safest airplanes ever built. And while other planes may come and go, the Boeing 747 keeps flying.
Maybe it’s all those things—or maybe it’s something that can’t be explained by words alone. She may be getting older, but she’s still got plenty of life left! Here’s a quick guide to modern aviation management systems’ safety.
What’s better about the Boeing 757?
Here’s everything you need to know about this amazing aircraft.
- The Boeing 757 is a twin-engine jetliner designed for short-to-medium-range flights.
- The aircraft can carry up to 243 passengers and has a maximum range of 7,250 km.
- The Boeing 757 is powered by two Rolls-Royce RB211 or Pratt & Whitney PW2000 engines, which give it a cruising speed of 0.8 – 0.86 Mach.
- Pay attention to its wingtip design. The wingtips are swept back at an angle of 33 degrees, which reduces aerodynamic drag and makes the aircraft more fuel efficient.
- The Boeing 757 also has an advanced fly-by-wire control system, which gives it superior flight characteristics.
Conclusion
The Boeing 747 is the bigger of the two, with more passenger capacity and an extended range. While the Boeing 757 is smaller and designed for short-haul flights, it has superior performance thanks to its larger engines, advanced flight control system, and wingtip design.
Finally, both planes have an exceptional safety record and are built to last. This makes them both great choices for passenger and cargo transport.
About the Author
