B757-200
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Situational Awareness
Deviation - Speed All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Unstabilized Approach; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Weather
Very light 757; 16.7 on the fuel; almost empty payload; operating from ZZZ to ZZZ1; daytime VMC. High winds in effect. Vref was 111; Vapp is 126. I was PF (Pilot Flying); and decided to fly faster on final since we were in a light 757; and my limited experience with this situation led to this. Missed approach procedures were reviewed multiple times as other jets had to go around several times. Runway was dry; over XX;000 feet long; plenty of distance. I decided to fly a new Vapp of 135; as the jet was having problems controlling the airspeed since the winds were about 060/22G30. Our divert was ZZZ1; and we knew that several aircraft attempting to land had to execute missed approaches. All this into account; I decided to fly around 135 KIAS; as this felt like a more stable approach. The airspeed wouldn't stabilize safely below this number; as it was all over the place and I had to fight with the autothrottles to maintain within 15 kts of the initial Vapp of 126--it just wouldn't stabilize at a speed below 135. My reasoning is that since I was light; in a 757; long runway; daytime VMC; and super gusty winds; I had plenty of room to stop safely without encountering hot brakes or running out of concrete. We landed uneventfully; although long; as I touched down past the touchdown zone--this was the only cost of flying faster; and I felt it was worth it; all things considered. We landed and were able to taxi clear on taxiway; no problem.  If I was in a 767 or a heavier 757; I wouldn't have even thought of this; and we would have flown the Vapp given; for better or worse.  Were we technically unstable? Yes; I believe we were. Were we safer; in my eyes; flying a more stable approach with the winds we had? Yes; I also believe this to be the case. We never had a windshear warning; and we never felt unsafe; but looking back; I was in the wrong; even though I felt more stable; which led to a safer approach. However; the AOM procedures don't allow for this; so I was technically in the wrong; even though the airplane flew better and safer; in my opinion. Next time; I will fly the Vapp given; and if we have to divert; then so be it.
Air carrier pilot reported continuing the approach and landing with strong winds and an unstabilized approach.