Originally Posted by
733driver
So, I have read that the 757 was a lot more expensive to operate than the 737. However, could a "757 NG" with modern engines and avionics be a possible replacement for the MAX?
I know the 757 is quite a bit heavier and has higher thrust engines than the MAX. But the fuselage cross section is the same as the 737 and the 757 was known to be overpowered so might actually work ok with the LEAP engines as a lower gross weight version. Pax capacity is similar between a MAX 9/10 and a 757-200.
What about the 757 would make it unsuitable as a basis for developing a future 737 replacement? I know it's a 1980's design and a conventional one at that but then again an A321 NEO is not exactly super modern either, in terms of the basic airframe.
The tooling and production line no longer exists - it was scrapped ~15 years ago. It would cost nearly as much to recreate the 757 production line and all the associated tooling as to simply design and produce a new aircraft (which is what the MMA is intended to be).