On the Routes—Boeing 757 with British Airways

Operating to Shuttle destinations since February and to continental Europe from April, the Boeing 757 aircraft of British Airways will use just over half the amount of fuel per passenger compared with that consumed by older types. Equipped in a 189‐seat configuration, the new aircraft will be introduced progressively on the four Shuttle routes and will operate alongside and eventually, replace the Trident 3's. Since the Boeing 757 can carry over 40 more passengers than the older aircraft, it follows that fewer “back‐up” services will have to be operated, with a consequent saving to the airline. When British Airways ordered the 757, it was envisaged that the aircraft would fill a “capacity slot” on routes that required a type larger than the Boeing 737 but smaller than the TriStar. In the event, stagnation and in some cases, decline in numbers of passengers, has made the aircraft an extremely viable proposition on an increasing number of routes.