JetBlue Airways (B6, New York JFK) has announced it has signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with the Airbus-controlled C Series Aircraft (CSALP) for sixty firm-ordered A220-300 – formerly CS300s – with options for an additional sixty aircraft of the type.
In a statement, the New York-based budget carrier said the first five firm-ordered aircraft would deliver in 2020 followed by four in 2021, eight in 2022, 19 in 2023, 22 in 2024, and two in 2025. The optioned jets, if exercized, will arrive from 2025 through to 2028. Collectively, the Pratt & Whitney PW1500G-powered A220s will replace jetBlue's existing fleet of sixty E190s whose flying will be reduced from 2020 onwards before being phased out entirely by around 2025.
"The aircraft’s range and seating capacity will add flexibility to jetBlue’s network strategy as it targets growth in its focus cities, including options to schedule it for transcontinental flying," it said. "The aircraft also opens the door to new markets and routes that would have been unprofitable with jetBlue’s existing fleet."
jetBlue also has the right to convert certain aircraft to the smaller A220-100 (former CS100) if it chooses. Collectively, jetBlue's A220 aircraft will be assembled on Airbus's Mobile, AL production line.
Aside from the A220 order, jetBlue said it has also converted an existing order with Airbus for twenty-five A320neo into larger A321neo and has also adjusted their delivery schedule. The LCC now has a total A321neo order backlog of 85 aircraft of the type, exclusive of options. Of the 85 jets, it expects 13 in 2019, 15 in 2020, 16 in 2021, 15 in 2022, 14 in 2023, and 12 in 2024.
