Summary

  • Jetblue is streamlining its fleet with Airbus A220s to boost profitability, retiring loyal Embraer E190s by 2025.
  • Delaying A321neo deliveries to 2030+ while focusing on rebuilding East Coast leisure network as part of “JetForward” plan.
  • Challenges with grounded aircraft due to engine issues have led to operational impacts and prompted cost-saving measures.

Jetblue is taking proactive steps to improve its overall balance sheet. Several considerations are being made, including prioritizing the arrival of an additional Airbus A220-300 and deferring the Airbus A321neo (including the XLR variant), outlined in a post by known Aviation Enthusiast @AirlineFlyer on X (Formerly Twitter).

The growing fleet of Airbus A220 is set to replace the Embraer E190, and the newer aircraft offers 90% more premium seating and 30% lower unit costs. The loyal E190 will be retired from the Jetblue fleet by the end of 2025, simplifying the airline’s fleet to just two aircraft families: the A220 and A320.

The airline’s challenges with grounding multiple aircraft due to issues with Pratt & Whitney engines have also impacted the airline’s operations. Overall, an average of 11 aircraft have been grounded at any one time, and the same average number of grounded aircraft is expected to continue throughout the first half of 2025.

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Other steps taken

The New York-based airline is taking several other measures to ensure it can improve its bottom line, including the deferral of the A321neo, which includes the hotly anticipated A321XLR. This month, the carrier deferred 44 A321neo, expected between 2025 and 2029 to the 2030s, representing a saving of $3 billion in capital expenditure. As a result, 12 aircraft will have lease extensions, or purchase off lease to aid in maintaining it’s current networks, with plans to expand this a total of 30 aircraft within it’s fleet.

JetBlue AirbusA320 LAS-2

Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying

Like many airlines worldwide, many are seeing a changing market as travelers grapple with a cost of living crisis, with rapid inflation driven by labor, maintenance, and fuel costs, where the airline has not seen revenue growth to match the same trajectory. The carrier’s time has been consumed by its recent focus on the Northeast alliance and its pursuit of acquiring Spirit. It has adjusted its primary focus to address product gaps and improve its marketing strategy.

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Expected aircraft deliveries and returns

Across the coming years, the below revisions of the airline fleet are expected (does not include purchase off lease):

2024

Aircraft

Deliveries

Returns

Airbus A220

20

Airbus A320

Two

Airbus A321neo

Seven

Embraer E190

16

2025

Aircraft

Deliveries

Returns

Airbus A220

20

Airbus A320

Five

Airbus A321neo

Four

Embraer E190

Seven

2026 – 2028

2026

2027

2028

Airbus A220

20

Five

Seven


  • JetBlue Airways Airbus A321-200

    JetBlue

    IATA/ICAO Code:
    B6/JBA

    Hub(s):
    Boston Logan International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, New York JFK Airport, Orlando International Airport

    Year Founded:
    2000

    CEO:
    Robin Hayes

    Country:
    United States

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