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JetBlue's first A321neo takes to the skies

Sept. 07, 2019
2 min read
JetBlue A321neo
JetBlue's first A321neo takes to the skies
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JetBlue is in the midst of a transformative period that will see the airline take delivery of longer range, next generation aircraft and expand its international service, most notably when it launches flights to London in 2021. The airline currently has 85 Airbus A321neo aircraft on order, as well as 13 of the even longer range A321XLRs.

At the end of June, JetBlue took delivery of its first Airbus A321neo from the Airbus factory in Hamburg. The plane, which has the tail number N2002J and is named in honor of JetBlue founder David Neeleman, has sat mostly idle since its delivery, but it has now begun flying flights as of the end of August.

The airplane is based out of New York (JFK), but it's currently being used on a seemingly random set of domestic and Caribbean routes. In the last week, it's been spotted in Boston (BOS), Denver (DEN), Aruba (AUA) and more according to data from flightradar24.com. These are likely test flights, as the flight numbers (in the 6000s) are not normal JetBlue flight numbers.

(Image from FlightRadar24)

The first A321neo was tentatively scheduled to fly JetBlue's flight 1701 from JFK to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) on Sep. 24, along with the return flight 1202 from Fort Lauderdale to JFK. However, an A320 is now slated to operate those flights, and the aptly numbered “Flight 1” from JFK to Fort Lauderdale at 9:58am will see the first official commercial A321neo that day.

Then, beginning on Dec. 5, JetBlue will officially launch new service to Guayaquil (GYE) in Ecuador from JFK using the A321neo. This plane, and the majority of JetBlue's A321neos, will be configured with 200 Even More Space and economy seats, the same as its current fleet of A321s.

The carrier also has a number of standard A321s equipped with its lie-flat Mint business class product. These aircraft have 159 seats, including 16 Mint seats. JetBlue has promised a new reimagined Mint experience on its A321LRs when it launches service to London in 2021, but has not yet released details on the new product.

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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
  • Annual Fee

    $325
  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.