• 787-8 Dreamliner

    Boeing

    Stock Code:
    BA

    Date Founded:
    1916-07-15

    CEO:
    Dave Calhoun

    Headquarters Location:
    Chicago, USA

    Key Product Lines:
    Boeing 737, Boeing 747, Boeing 757, Boeing 767, Boeing 777, Boeing 787

    Business Type:
    Planemaker

Summary

  • Boeing 757 enabled more economical connections on thin routes, improving Hawaiian inter-island travel.
  • 757’s ETOPS certification in 1992 revolutionized flying to Hawaii, allowing twin-engine planes to operate transoceanic flights.
  • Hawaiian Airlines opted for Boeing 767s over 757s, limiting connectivity due to a lack of shorter-field capabilities for smaller airports.

The Boeing 757, also known as the flying pencil, played a major role in changing the nature of travel between the continental United States and the islands of Hawaii. While the narrowbody is well known for its oversized engines and high cargo-carrying capacity, among other things, the jet’s role in streamlining travel to Hawaii remains a lesser-known fact.

The Boeing 757 enabled adding services even on thin routes, improving connectivity across the islands. Let’s look at how the type changed the nature of flying to Hawaii.

United Airlines Boeing 757 in the sky.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Flying to Hawaii before the 757

The Boeing 757 entered commercial service in 1983 but wasn’t certified for ETOPS (Extended-range Twin-engine Operations Performance Standards) until some years later, in 1992. In the first few years of service, the jet was limited to operating over-land flights, as the twin-engine aircraft couldn’t venture more than 60 minutes from a suitable diversion airport. For this reason, transoceanic flights were operated by quadjet or trijet airplanes.

Related

What Is Needed To Receive ETOPS Certification?

An American Airlines Boeing 757 Flying Just Above A Body Of Water.

Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock

Before ETOPS, flights from the US mainland to the islands of Hawaii were operated by larger aircraft such as the McDonnell Douglas DC-10, which had three engines and could carry more than 250 passengers. However, deploying such large planes only made financial sense for airlines on high-demand routes from major US airports to Honolulu and Kahului (Maui).

To Hawaii on a 757

Boeing 757

757-200

757-300

2-class seating

200 (12F+188Y)

243 (12F+231Y)

1-class seating

219–239 max

275–295

Cargo volume

1,670 cu ft (47.3 m3)

2,370 cu ft (61.7 m3)

Length

155 ft 3 in (47.3 m)

178 ft 7 in (54.4 m)

Height

44 ft 6 in (13.6 m)

44 ft 6 in (13.6 m)

Width

148 in (3.76 m) fuselage, 139.3 in (3.54 m) cabin

148 in (3.76 m) fuselage, 139.3 in (3.54 m) cabin

Max. Takeoff Weight

255,000 lb (115,660 kg)

273,000 lb (123,830 kg)

Fuel capacity

11,489 US gal (43,490 L)

11,466 US gal (43,400 L)

Speed

Cruise: Mach 0.8 (461 kn; 854 km/h; 531 mph), Max.: Mach .86 (496 kn; 918 km/h; 571 mph)

Cruise: Mach 0.8 (461 kn; 854 km/h; 531 mph), Max.: Mach .86 (496 kn; 918 km/h; 571 mph)

Range

3,915 NM (7,250 km; 4,505 mi)

3,400 NM (6,295 km; 3,900 mi)

Engines

Rolls-Royce RB211/Pratt & Whitney PW2000

Rolls-Royce RB211/Pratt & Whitney PW2000

Nonetheless, with the advent of ETOPS rules in 1985, the aviation industry began a new chapter. Twin-engine planes were rated based on their single-engine performance and reliability and were finally allowed to operate longer flights over open water. US airlines saw the 757 as a winner and quickly began deploying it on flights to Hawaii.

The narrowbody twinjet’s relatively low passenger capacity and operating costs meant it could be used to connect some smaller Hawaiian Island airports like Lihue (LIH). Another significant factor was runway restrictions, as larger jets like the Boeing 767 couldn’t operate at such small airports with full loads. On the other hand, the 757, with its powerful engines, had no problems at all.

A Delta Air Lines Boeing 757-200 About to land on a runway.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Let’s take Lihue Airport, for example. LIH has two runways, both of which measure nearly 2,000 meters or 6,500 feet in length. Depending on the airport’s altitude, fully loaded Boeing 767s can require at least 8,000 feet of runway to take off, whereas a 757 with Pratt & Whitney PW2037 engines needs just 6,000 feet.

Related

Do You Need A Passport To Fly To Hawaii?

Hawaii seems far away, but it’s closer than you think! Here’s a quick guide to the passport requirements for entering the state of Hawaii.

Who flew the 757 to Hawaii?

US carriers like Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines began deploying their 757s on such thin routes. ETOPS also allowed them to go transatlantic with the ‘flying pencil.’ American Airlines previously had the highest number of Boeing 757 aircraft in its fleet, but they were all retired by 2020.

A United Airlines Boeing 757-300 Departing From Honolulu.

Photo: Theodore Trimmer | Shutterstock

While the ‘big three’ US legacy airlines were flying these thin routes, island carrier Hawaiian Airlines decided against it. The airline’s DC-10s were replaced by the Boeing 767 and later the Airbus A330, none of which have the same shorter-field capabilities as the 757. As a result, Hawaiian’s operations in this highly lucrative market have been somewhat restricted compared to airlines with the 757.

Today’s operations

  • United Airlines operates 757-200s and 757-300s on select routes, including Hawaii
  • United Airlines utilizes the fleet primarily from San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Denver to the Hawaiian islands
  • Delta operates its 757-300s on select routes, currently excluding Hawaii

Let’s conclude by analyzing the presence of the Boeing 757 on routes between the US mainland and Hawaii today. Data from Cirium, an aviation analytics company, shows that while the 757s have been a relatively rare sight, United Airlines primarily operates its 757-300s to Honolulu and Kona from San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The airline also operates 757-200s from Denver to Honolulu and Kahului (Maui). Delta used to operate its 757-300s between Seattle and Honolulu until at least the beginning of 2023 but has discontinued. Delta still operates its 757-300 fleet on other domestic routes within the continental US.

Have you ever flown to or from Hawaii in a Boeing 757? If so, with which airline(s)? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments section!

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