JetBlue Airways is mulling the future route map to be covered by its growing fleet of Airbus A220s, as the airline takes advantage of the European type’s improved range and economics over its predecessor aircraft.
The US carrier currently has 18 A220s in the fleet and expects to take delivery of about 20 more in 2024.
The aircraft is replacing Embraer 190s: “With a range of up to 3,350 nautical miles and a 40% lower fuel burn per seat than [our] E190 aircraft, the favorable economics open the door to new markets and routes that would have been unprofitable with our previous fleet,” a JetBlue spokesperson said.
“The A220 covers a wide mix of new and existing market possibilities with excellent economics on short, medium and even potentially transcontinental markets. This will allow for better overall aircraft utilization and provide a competitive advantage for JetBlue in short-haul markets.”
The airline is tight-lipped on where it will deploy the aircraft in future, merely saying that “We are considering a number of possible A220 routes, both domestic and international. As we continue to accept more deliveries, we will evaluate the markets in which the A220s are used.”
JetBlue bases its A220 fleet in Boston, “one of our six ‘focus cities.’ As such, it has made sense for the A220s to be based there. The A220 has more seats and more range than the E190s it is replacing, so their rollout began in one of our highest-demand markets.”
“Customers have responded extremely well to the modernized aircraft,” the spokesperson added. Among the type’s attractions are wider seats, large overhead bins, refreshed restrooms and updated tech and entertainment.
The aircraft is experiencing the same Pratt & Whitney GTF engine problems as other airlines: “We are currently assessing the extent of impact on our fleet.”
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