Boeing 787-8 vs 757-300

By: Rocco

Comparing the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner vs the Boeing 757-300? Start with the quick spec breakdown below, then dive into the story for the bigger picture.

Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Jumbo Passenger Jets
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
ICAO: B788 Status: Active Visit aircraft page
Boeing 757-300
Mid Size Passenger Jets
Boeing 757-300
ICAO: B753 Status: Active Visit aircraft page

General

Units
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Manufacturer
Boeing
ICAO code
B788
Produced
2010–Onward
Price
$206.8 million (1900)
Engine
Engine type
-
Thrust
64,000 lbf · 285 kN -26% (total)
Avionics
Rockwell Collins next generation avionics
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
250 economy · 210 business
Boeing 757-300
Manufacturer
Boeing
ICAO code
B753
Produced
1998–2004
Price
$80 million (2002)
Engine
2 × Rolls-Royce RB211-535E4/B, Pratt & Whitney PW2000-40/43
Engine type
Turbofan
Thrust
2 × 43,500 lbf · 193 kN +36% (total)
Avionics
Rockwell Collins Avionics
Wing tips
Blended tips
Seats
295 economy · 243 business

Dimensions

Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Cabin width
18 ft 0 in 5.49 m 18 ft 0 in 5.49 m +55%
Cabin height
8 ft 2 in 2.50 m 8 ft 2 in 2.50 m +17%
Cabin length
167 ft 4 in 51.00 m 167 ft 4 in 51.00 m +18%
Exterior length
187 ft 0 in 57.00 m 187 ft 0 in 57.00 m +5%
Tail height
Fuselage diameter
18 ft 10 in 5.75 m 18 ft 10 in 5.75 m +53%
Wing span
196 ft 10 in 60.00 m 196 ft 10 in 60.00 m +58%
Baggage volume
448 ft 6 in 136.70 m 448 ft 6 in 136.70 m +103%
Boeing 757-300
Cabin width
11 ft 7 in 3.54 m 11 ft 7 in 3.54 m -36%
Cabin height
7 ft 0 in 2.13 m 7 ft 0 in 2.13 m -15%
Cabin length
141 ft 9 in 43.21 m 141 ft 9 in 43.21 m -15%
Exterior length
178 ft 7 in 54.43 m 178 ft 7 in 54.43 m -5%
Tail height
44 ft 9 in 13.64 m 44 ft 9 in 13.64 m
Fuselage diameter
12 ft 4 in 3.76 m 12 ft 4 in 3.76 m -35%
Wing span
124 ft 10 in 38.06 m 124 ft 10 in 38.06 m -37%
Baggage volume
221 ft 5 in 67.50 m 221 ft 5 in 67.50 m -51%

Weights

Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Max payload
95,500 lb 43,300 kg 95,500 lb 43,300 kg +40%
Fuel capacity
33,528 gal 126,917 L 33,528 gal 126,917 L +192%
Max takeoff weight
502,000 lb 228,000 kg 502,000 lb 228,000 kg +84%
Max landing weight
Boeing 757-300
Max payload
68,000 lb 30,900 kg 68,000 lb 30,900 kg -29%
Fuel capacity
11,490 gal 43,494 L 11,490 gal 43,494 L -66%
Max takeoff weight
273,000 lb 124,000 kg 273,000 lb 124,000 kg -46%
Max landing weight
224,000 lb 101,500 kg 224,000 lb 101,500 kg

Performance

Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Max cruise speed
510 kt · 587 mph 945 km/h 510 kt 587 mph 945 km/h +3%
Approach speed
Rate of climb
0 ft/min 0 m/s 0 ft/min 0 m/s -100%
Range
8,200 nm · 9,440 mi 15,190 km 8,200 nm 9,440 mi 15,190 km +137%
Service ceiling
43,000 ft 13,100 m 43,000 ft 13,100 m +2%
Takeoff distance
5,000 ft 1,520 m 5,000 ft 1,520 m -42%
Landing distance
3,000 ft 910 m 3,000 ft 910 m -41%
Boeing 757-300
Max cruise speed
496 kt · 571 mph 919 km/h 496 kt 571 mph 919 km/h -3%
Approach speed
140 kt · 161 mph 259 km/h 140 kt 161 mph 259 km/h
Rate of climb
3,500 ft/min 18 m/s 3,500 ft/min 18 m/s
Range
3,467 nm · 3,990 mi 6,420 km 3,467 nm 3,990 mi 6,420 km -58%
Service ceiling
42,000 ft 12,800 m 42,000 ft 12,800 m -2%
Takeoff distance
8,550 ft 2,600 m 8,550 ft 2,600 m +71%
Landing distance
5,100 ft 1,550 m 5,100 ft 1,550 m +70%

Two Boeing aircraft often find themselves pitted against each other in the skies: the 787 vs 757. But who takes the lead? Tricky question, as both models are popular workhorses and have achieved much success in their own right. Keep reading to find out which one wins this aircraft face-off.

About the Boeing 787 Dreamliner

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a long-range, wide-body, twin-engine jet airliner. It seats 218 to 298 passengers with a range of 6,430 to 7,635 nautical miles. And it’s more fuel efficient due to carbon fiber reinforced plastic and other lightweight materials.

Why was it developed and built?

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was developed to bridge the gap between mid-size and long-haul aircraft.

It is designed for airlines that need a plane suitable for long-distance flights but with a smaller passenger capacity than the larger, four-engine aircraft.

What purpose does it serve?

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner serves various purposes, from passenger flights to cargo transport.

It is also used for VIP and private charter services, air ambulance, and relief operations. And it has a spacious interior, which makes it ideal for long-distance travel.

About the Boeing 757

The Boeing 757 is a medium- to the long-range, narrow-body twin-engine jet airliner. It can seat up to 243 passengers and has a maximum range of 3,400 nautical miles. And it was designed to replace the Boeing 727 and Boeing 737 on short-to-medium-length routes.

Why was it developed and built?

The Boeing 757 was developed to fill the gap between narrow-body and wide-body aircraft.

It was designed to be more cost-effective than the larger wide-body jets while having a higher range than the smaller narrow-bodies.

What purpose does it serve?

The Boeing 757 is used for passenger flights, cargo transport, air ambulance, and VIP services.

Its small size makes it suitable for short-to-medium haul flights, while its range makes it an ideal choice for transcontinental services.

How are the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Boeing 757 different?

If you’re in the market for a new Boeing airplane, you might wonder what the difference is between the Boeing 757 and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Both are popular models, but which is the better choice for you? Here’s a look at the primary differences between these two Boeing aircraft to help you decide.

Size

The first thing you’ll notice about the Boeing 757 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner is their different sizes. 

  1. The Boeing 757 is a medium-sized aircraft, while the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a large aircraft. 
  2. This can be helpful to know if you have specific size requirements for your aircraft.

Range

Another difference between these two aircraft is their range. The Boeing 757 range is approximately 3,400 nano miles, while the Boeing 787 Dreamliner range is approximately 6,430 nano miles. Knowing if you plan to fly long distances with your aircraft can be crucial.

Speed

For speed, the Boeing 757 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner are also different. The Boeing 757 has a maximum speed of 918 km/h, while the Boeing 787 Dreamliner has a maximum speed of 903 km/h. 

Fuel Efficiency

One final difference between these two Boeing aircraft is their fuel efficiency. The Boeing 757 is not as fuel-efficient as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. 

Finally, it depends on your needs. For larger aircraft, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is your best bet. And for shorter flights, the Boeing 757 can be more cost-effective and fuel efficient. Eventually, the decision will come down to what you need and want from your aircraft.

How are the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Boeing 757 similar?

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a cutting-edge airliner with incredible range, fuel efficiency, and cabin comfort. But what if you’re more familiar with the older Boeing 757? In that case, you might be wondering how the two planes compare. Let’s take a closer look:

Twin-engine planes

That means they have two engines mounted on each wing. The engine type is also similar; both planes use turbofan engines. Turbofan engines are powerful and efficient, making them ideal for long-haul flights.

Range

Both planes can fly for over 5,000 miles without needing to refuel. That means they can easily cover long distances, such as transcontinental flights. That makes them perfect for medium-sized airlines.

What’s better about the Boeing 787 Dreamliner?

From its advanced fuel efficiency to its spacious and comfortable interior, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner has a lot to offer passengers and airlines alike. Here are a few reasons to like it.

Advanced Fuel Efficiency

One of the most crucial selling points of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is its advanced fuel efficiency. It burns less fuel than similarly sized aircraft, thanks to its use of composites in its construction.

Not only is this better for the environment—it’s also great for airlines’ bottom lines. With fuel prices continually rising, anything that can help reduce an airline’s operating costs is a significant plus.

Comfortable Interior

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was designed with passenger comfort in mind. The aircraft features more oversized windows, higher ceilings, and enhanced ventilation, all of which create a more pleasant flying experience. In addition, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s illuminate mood lighting can help reduce jet lag and make long flights feel shorter.

Quieter Ride

Another benefit of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s innovative design is that it results in a much quieter ride for passengers. The engines are located further away from the cabin, and sound-dampening materials are used throughout the aircraft. This makes for a peaceful flight and happy passengers!

What’s better about the Boeing 757?

The Boeing 757 Is the Best Plane for Short to Medium Haul Flights. Here’s what makes it better:

  1. Comfortability. The Boeing 757 is designed for passenger comfort with a spacious cabin and large windows. You’ll appreciate the extra legroom, especially on longer flights.
  2. It’s fast. With a cruising speed of 461 kn, the Boeing 757 will quickly get you to your destination. And with a range of up to 7,250 km, the Boeing 757 can get you there non-stop.
  3. Nothing beats its efficiency. With its twin engines, it uses less fuel than other planes. That means lower operating costs for airlines and lower fares for passengers.

Conclusion

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Boeing 757 are both capable aircraft. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner offers advanced fuel efficiency, a comfortable cabin, and a quieter ride, while the Boeing 757 is ideal for short to medium-haul flights due to its speed and efficiency.

Finally, it depends on the airline’s needs. Both planes offer great value for airlines, and both can make air travel more enjoyable for passengers.