RENTON, WA-After one of the most successful production runs in commercial aviation history, Boeing has built its last 757 airliner.

Thousands of employees and special guests saluted the 1,050th and final 757, a Shanghai Airlines 757-200, which was the centerpiece of a ceremony at the company's Renton factory. The 757 is one of only seven large commercial jetliner models that sold more than 1,000 units.

The 757 began production in 1981, and 1,030 continue to fly for airlines worldwide. Boeing built three principal models of the plane: the 757-200, 757-300 and 757-200 freighter. The 757-200 carries 200 passengers, and the 757-300, which is 23 feet, 4 inches longer, carries 240. The 757 is being displaced by the 737 line and the new 7E7 Dreamliner, which is expected to go into production in 2006.