As of 2026, Delta Air Lines continues to operate the largest fleet of Boeing 757 aircraft in the world, with over 120 units still in active service. While the airline is gradually replacing them with the newer Airbus A321neo and A321XLR, the "Flying Pencil" remains a critical workhorse for Delta's high-demand domestic routes and thin transatlantic missions. United Airlines holds the second-largest fleet, with roughly 60 aircraft, and is notably using them in 2026 for a record number of flights to "secondary" European cities like Porto, Edinburgh, and Malaga. These airlines maintain their 757s because the aircraft has a unique "niche" performance—it can take off from short runways and climb quickly while still carrying enough fuel to cross an ocean, a capability that newer narrow-body jets are only just beginning to match. For enthusiasts, 2026 is the "last call" era for the 757, as major retirements are scheduled to intensify toward 2030 when the next generation of ultra-long-range narrow-body aircraft fully populates the major global fleets.