Didn't say it was a BETTER product. But the buyers voted and quit buying 757s or they would still be in production. It was a growth out of requirements that actually began with a paper airplane, the 727-300. United said no and Boeing went back to the drawing board. They came up with the 757.

Likewise, Kelleher went to Boeing and said he wanted to stay with the 737 but wanted 757-like performance. Boeing redesigned the wing, added more thrust, changed a few systems and Herb got essentially a 'baby 757' without introducing a new airplane to the fleet. It allowed SW to go trans-con but not at classic speeds of 0.74M and having to fight winter winds and maybe leaving revnue (pax/cargo) behind.

The 757 was a fun plane to fly. I enjoyed it.. but its time has come and gone...sad to say.