JetBlue’s first Airbus A220-300 powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines entered revenue service tonight with a flight departing Boston Logan International Airport for Tampa just after 5:00 p.m. The aircraft was assembled at the Airbus’ U.S. facility in Mobile, Alabama.
On Monday (April 26, 2021), JetBlue announced the entry into revenue service of their first Airbus A220-300 powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines. The aircraft, which was assembled at the Airbus facility in Mobile, Alabama, took off from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) just before 17:00 this evening enroute to Tampa International Airport (TPA) in Florida. JetBlue will deploy the aircraft on routes between the Northeast and Florida for the next few weeks. The company expects to receive their second A220-300 in the coming days, and a third in May.
In Monday’s announcement, JetBlue’s Head of Treasury and Investor Relations, Ursula Hurley, said,
“We selected the Airbus A220 nearly three years ago knowing its cost savings, superior performance and customer-friendly design would evolve our fleet for the long-term future. These factors, which initially led us to select the A220, are now more important than ever as we navigate the new travel environment with a steady hand and a long-term view on recovery. Today’s introduction of our first A220 into scheduled service allows us to continue to execute our low cost business model and enables JetBlue to continue to offer low fares to more customers.”
Including fuel and maintenance cost savings, the Airbus A220-300 will deliver a reduction in operating expenses of nearly 30 percent compared to the Embraer E190s it replaces in JetBlue’s fleet. The aircraft’s operating characteristics and range open the possibility of economically feasible deployment on short, medium and even transcontinental routes.
Also commenting on the aircraft’s entry into revenue service, Airbus’ SVP – A220 Customer Satisfaction, Services and Product Policy, Rob Dewar, said,
“Today's first JetBlue A220 commercial flight marks the culmination of our A220 journey coming to life. Having JetBlue - an ultramodern airline - flying customers onboard the newest and most stylish member of its fleet captures the spirit of our vision when we designed the A220 as a truly innovative single-aisle aircraft. The A220 is an industry leader, setting the standard in cabin comfort, operating economics, environmental footprint and digital capability. Congratulations to all.”
JetBlue’s new Airbus A220-300 is powered exclusively by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines. The carrier originally ordered 60 of the aircraft and later expanded their order to 70 in 2019. JetBlue has also ordered 85 Pratt & Whitney GTF-powered A320neo Family aircraft including 13 A321LRs and 13 A321XLRs. JetBlue currently operates 16 A321neos powered by GTF engines and 193 A320ceo Family aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney’s V2500 engines, as well as 60 Embraer E190s featuring the company’s APS2300E APUs.
At a gate ceremony tonight at Boston Logan International Airport, marking JetBlue’s inaugural Airbus A220-300 service, Pratt & Whitney’s Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Rick Deurloo, said,
“The entry into service of the GTF-powered A220 for JetBlue is a milestone moment. Pratt & Whitney and JetBlue have collaborated closely since the airline’s first flight in 2000. We are honored that JetBlue is confident that GTF’s game-changing technology will provide true value for their next-generation fleets. We’re honored to be a part of this momentous milestone and we look forward to supporting JetBlue’s expansion and their commitment to sustainable aviation.”
The GTF-powered A220-300 delivers lower operating costs and a double-digit improvement in fuel burn and carbon emissions compared to previous generation aircraft. The aircraft also offers a 75 percent reduction in noise footprint, based on a 75 dB noise contour, as well as NOx emissions which are 50 percent below the ICAO CAEP/6 regulation.
JetBlue is New York’s Hometown Airline® and a leading carrier in Boston (BOS), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Los Angeles (LAX), Orlando (MCO) and San Juan (SJU). The airline carries guests to destinations across the U.S., Caribbean and Latin America. JetBlue Airways Corporation trades on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol JBLU.
Source(s): JetBlue, Pratt & Whitney