JetBlue Airways (B6, New York JFK) has become the latest US carrier to publically acquire the A321neo(XLR) after it converted thirteen A321neo order slots to the ultra-longhaul-capable variant.
jetBlue said in a statement issued during the 2019 Paris Air Show at Paris Le Bourget that its XLR deliveries from Airbus are slated to start in 2023 and will be used on transatlantic routes.
“The incredible extended range of the A321XLR allows us to evaluate even more overseas destinations as we think about JetBlue’s expansion into European markets plagued by high premium fares and subpar service,” Robin Hayes, chief executive officer, jetBlue, said. "The XLR opens up possibilities for service between the northeast U.S. and destinations in south, central and northern Europe."
jetBlue intends to debut flights from New York JFK and Boston to London in 2021 using the A321neo(LR).
The airline's A321neo Family order book stands at 85 aircraft of which thirteen are LRs, thirteen are XLRs with the remainder standard variants. It expects to take delivery of a minimum of six standard A321neo in 2019 all of which will supplement its existing fleet of 130 A320ceo and sixty-three A321ceo.
In tandem with this announcement, jetBlue said it had also firmed up options for ten more A220-300s, deliveries of which will start in 2025. Its overall A220-300 backlog now grows to 70 of the type.
“Increasing our firm order for A220 aircraft gives us a valuable tool to support our network strategy in the Americas and continue to build our focus cities with an airplane that offers incredible economics and range,” Hayes added. “Both the XLR and the A220 ensure we remain committed to meeting financial targets with disciplined growth.”
jetBlue will use the incoming A220s to replace it current fleet of E190s which currently number 60 in total.
