JetBlue has ordered up to 120 Airbus A220-300 aircraft (Formerly The C Series CS300)
The airline has chosen the A220 to replace its Embraer 190 fleet. The Embraer aircraft are set to be fully retired by 2025. The order has 60 A220’s on firm order, and another 60 options for delivery from 2025. These aircraft will be assembled in the yet to be constructed Airbus facility in Mobile, Alabama.
The New York-based airline’s decision was announced hours after the Bombardier CSeries was rebranded under Airbus ownership.
JetBlue‘s long-awaited decision concludes a fleet review that it began in early 2017, targeted at the future of its 60-strong E190 fleet. The airline’s choice of the A220-300 is a blow to Embraer, which was marketing the E195-E2 to the carrier. “While the E190 has played an important role in JetBlue’s network since 2005, the airline’s fleet review determined that the A220’s economics would allow the airline to lower costs in the coming years,” says JetBlue. The airline has also said that the 130- to 160-seat capacity of the A220 provides advantages over the 100-seat Embraer configuration.
“We are evolving our fleet for the future of JetBlue, and the A220-300’s impressive range and economics offer us flexibility and support our key financial and operating priorities,” says JetBlue chief executive Robin Hayes. “As we approach our 20th anniversary, the A220, combined with our A321 and restyled A320 fleet, will help ensure we deliver the best onboard experience to customers and meet our long-term financial targets as we continue disciplined growth into the future.”
The airline says that the A220’s range and capacity will give it greater flexibility in its network strategy. Which includes transcontinental service and growth in focus cities.
“The aircraft’s advanced aerodynamics combined with a specially designed Pratt & Whitney engine help the aircraft deliver approximately 40% lower fuel burn per seat than JetBlue’s current E190 fleet, a reduced noise footprint and decreased emissions,” says JetBlue.
JetBlue’s E190 fleet will begin departing the fleet in 2020, the same year when the A220s begin arriving. The airline estimates that the E190 phase-out will complete in 2025.
The carrier says it has flexibility to convert “certain aircraft” to the smaller A220-100 if it requires.
A320neo Conversion
The airline has also made the decision to switch orders for 25 A320neo to the larger A321neo. Most of the JetBlue A321 fleet has its premium Mint class, which features a lie flat seat. This order switch will most likely see the Mint class onboard these A321neo.
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