Boeing pitched the 767 early to Northwest, but in contrast to the enthusiastic reception the 757 received, there was no appetite for the wide body twin.
Republic’s rising fortunes in 1986 and eager adoption of the 757 also elicited a sales effort from Boeing, and rumor has it if the merger with Northwest had not been successful, RC would have brought the mini-jumbo on property. In fact, Republic’s order for six 757s also included options for six more airframes, which per the 1986 annual report, could be substituted for 737-300s or 767s. We can only speculate how it would have been used, but the ETOPS version could easily have reached Hawaii and all of Europe from Minneapolis.
If you use these photos, please credit the Northwest Airlines History Center – please also contact us to let us know how you’re using them and if we can be of further help!
