But Planemaker Is Still Studying The Issue

There were over a thousand Boeing 757s sold to customers around the world before deliveries ended in 2005 ... and since then, the planemaker has focused on other projects, like the Dreamliner and 737 MAX.

But one major player in the aircraft leasing industry is pressuring Boeing to develop a replacement for the medium-range airliner. Air Lease CEO Steven Udvay-Hazy says that either an all-new aircraft or a re-engined, updated version of the 757 would be a good addition to Boeing's lineup.

Boeing is not convinced, however. The Motley Fool cites a report from the Wall Street Journal saying that the planemaker is not convinced that the market previously served by the 757 requires a new airplane. While the options include either an updated 757 or a new airplane in that category, the slot could also be filled by extending the capacity of the 737. The 737 MAX 200 is being designed to carry 200 passengers in a single-class configuration, which is near the capacity of the 757.

But the 757 had a longer range than the 737 MAX-9, which Boeing is touting as the 757 replacement. Another factor is the recently-announced Airbus A321LR, which could tip Boeing in favor of a new 757.

The Motley Fool says that despite pressure from a major leasing company that has more than 360 of its products on the order books, Boeing appears to be leaning away from a new 757. Development of a new aircraft would be expensive, and in a memo earlier this month, the company said it is not studying a re-engined version of the airliner. So for now, the airplane dubbed by some as the "Hazyliner" appears to be a long shot at best.

FMI: www.boeing.com