The last Jet2 757 flight

The Boeing-Jet2 partnership carried many passengers across the globe, flying primarily within Europe, but also taking their passengers transatlantic and beyond. A year after the retirement of the 757, let’s take a look at the history of the collaboration between plane and company.

History of the Jet2-Boeing relationship

Per se, Jet2 did not have a specific partnership for the Boeing 757. However, the plane model was key for the expansion of Jet2 for over 2 decades, solidifying the model as a pillar in the company’s history. 

The Boeing 757 was first designed to replace its less fuel efficient, lower capacity, and shorter range counterpart: the Boeing 727. It was designed in the 1980s, and quickly became popular for airlines looking for a versatile plane. 

Jet2 first acquired a Boeing 757 in 2005, as a means to replace the previous model: the Boeing 737. This was done as the 757 was more fuel efficient and more versatile than its previous model. 

Once the success of the first 757 was apparent. Jet2 acquired more planes over the years, amounting to a total of 17 757s in operation throughout the 20 years they were used, with a peak of 13 operational planes at once in its fleet. With these planes, Jet2 expanded to many more destinations, and with the 757’s ability to takeoff and land on short runways, it became a key element in the airline’s growth. Indeed, the plane’s versatility played a large role in ensuring the airline’s flexibility in the selection of its airport hubs; it could handle both shorter flights and long-haul flights, making it an all-in-one model. 

But after many years in service, the Boeing 757 was starting to be a bit aged, with the last flight being operated by a 37 year old aircraft. Although sturdy and robust, the plane model was starting to lose its ability to catch up to modern sustainability initiatives. This led to a retirement of the aircraft model, in favour of more modern and more fuel-efficient planes.

During its tenure, the 757 amassed 8.1 million hours of flight time in the UK, which is equivalent to around 928 consecutive years in the air, carrying over 471 million passengers, on 3.1 million flights. 

What did they replace the Boeing 757 with, and why?

For 20 years, Jet2 and the Boeing 757 had a flourishing partnership. However, with the increased attention on sustainability initiatives and new technologies, the 757 was starting to show its age. The A321neo (the 757’s replacement) is much more fuel efficient, saves on emissions and maintenance costs. These more modern aircrafts also offer passengers a more comfortable experience overall, with quieter engines, and more advanced cabin amenities. The Airbus counterpart also offers the same versatility in flight routes and increased passenger capacity, making it a logical step up from the Boeing. Since the retirement of the Boeing model, Jet2 now has 129 operational A321neo planes in its fleet (as of October 2025). 

When was the last Jet2 757 flight?

The last Jet2 Boeing 757 flight took place January 5th 2025, a flight from Manchester to Geneva and back. This flight also represented the last flight of an operational 757 in UK-based airlines, after 42 years in service. This flight was therefore filled with aviation enthusiasts as well as passengers. Both the captain and copilot were selected as tenured captains with years of experience flying the 757, allowing for a real goodbye to the plane. The senior cabin crew were also selected specifically for this flight as they had been with the plane for many years and were deemed to give the plane a proper sendoff.

The plane departed Manchester Airport (MAN) at 10:05AM, and landed in Geneva Airport (GVA) at 12:40PM. The return flight saw the aircraft landing in Manchester at 15:40PM local time, marking the end of an era, and a 42-year partnership between the 757 and UK-based airlines. 

The plane left Manchester on the 8th of January 2025 for Cardiff (Wales) to be dismantled. The plane did a flypass over Leeds Bradford Airport on the 8th, Jet2’s homebase, as a symbolic gesture of its departure, with many fans capturing the moment on video. 

Where can I still fly on a Boeing 757?

Although the Jet2 757 flight was the last commercial operational flight in the UK for that model, the plane is still available to fly elsewhere. Although it is becoming a scarcity, quite a few airlines (primarily in the US) still operate 757s. Here is a list of airlines that still have 757s in their fleet:

• Delta Airlines (US): This is the biggest operator of this aircraft today. Delta still has 95 757s in its fleet, flying internally within the US, as well as select routes to the Caribbean and certain South American destinations.
• United Airlines (US): The airline still operates 56 757s, flying both transatlantic and domestic. Its European destinations are only serviced during the northern summer season though, if you are actively searching to fly on this plane.
• Icelandair (Iceland): This airline still has 10 operational 757s out of its history of 44 over thirty years.
• New Pacific Airlines (US): The airline operates 3 Boeing 757s, in an all-business class model, offering 78 seats each. These planes are often serviced to US sports teams to fly around the country for events.
• Azur Air (Russia): Although the total fleet consists of 9 Boeing 757s, three of these have been put in storage/maintenance, and six remain operational. These flights are however hard to come by, due to the restrictions imposed within and to Russia following the Russian-Ukraine war.
• SCAT Airlines (Kazakhstan): This airline has 3 planes on its books, however one is shown to be in maintenance, perhaps indicating that the airline is slowly retiring its 757 fleet.
• Skyline Express Airlines (Ukraine): This airline has 4 757s listed in its fleet, although only one seems to be operational. This plane still operates charter flights within Europe.

Although flights on Boeing 757s are starting to become increasingly rare, the plane has found its success in cargo flights. Indeed, its reliability and durability has greatly served cargo airlines, such as UPS. Therefore, aviation enthusiasts who aim to catch a glimpse at one of these planes can focus their attention on cargo planes.

Delayed on a Boeing 757?

The Boeing 757’s final commercial flight in the UK was heavily delayed. Did you know that those who flew on that plane may be entitled to compensation for the trouble? This means that not only did they take a trip on a historic flight, but they could also be paid for it? 

Have you ever experienced a flight delay or cancellation on a Boeing 757? Then try out our free claim calculator to see if you are eligible for a compensation of up to 600 EUR. 

We hope you found this blog informational, and we wish you safe travels!