The Boeing 757 was the first large jet aircraft to use a supercritical wing in production service.
A supercritical wing is shaped to delay the formation of shock waves and reduce drag during high-subsonic cruise. Boeing engineer Richard Whitcomb pioneered the concept at NASA, and Boeing applied the technology to the 757 and its contemporary wide-body companion, the 767.
The 757 first flew in 1982 and entered airline service in 1983. Its wing helped the aircraft achieve strong fuel efficiency while retaining good takeoff and landing performance. The design was especially valuable on medium- and long-range routes, including flights from airports with challenging runway or elevation conditions.
The 757 and 767 were developed together but served different market segments. The 757 was a narrow-body aircraft, while the 767 was a wider twin-aisle design. Both helped establish advanced aerodynamic and cockpit technologies that influenced later Boeing aircraft.