Originally Posted by
2StgTurbine
That actually doesn't matter. A pilots perspective on an aircraft does not factor into its success.
The real answer is the 757 cost a lot more to make. The 757 was designed with a pre-deregulation mindset. Simply put, the 757 was over engineered. They put big engines on a large wing and gave it extra wheels with a lot of brakes. That increased the purchase price while decreasing the CASM. The 757 was a very expensive narrow body when it came out. The only reason it is popular with airlines today is because they can buy them used.
Also, most airlines don't need to use all of its capabilities. The 757 is the clear winner over the 737 if you want to carry 180ish people a long distance at a high altitude using short runways. Most of the time the runways are long enough, the flights are short enough, or you don't need to fly that high. While the 757 can do the job better, most of the time the 737 is good enough.
So basically the 757 is over designed for todays market. But isn't the 737 max line of aircraft in the same market as the 757? Traditionally longer routes were flown to big city airports where they have long runways. But the congestion of those airfields is making it more economical to go into a smaller airfield . SNA comes to mind.