JetBlue's Airbus A321LR takes to the skies for the first time
JetBlue's London flights are one step closer to taking off.
On Tuesday, the carrier's first Airbus A321LR took to the skies for its maiden flight. With test registration D-AVXF, the long-range Airbus narrow-body was airborne for about two-and-a-half hours before returning to the manufacturer's facility in Hamburg, Germany.
This initial test flight is the first in what's likely a series before the plane ultimately gets delivered to the New York-based carrier. This specific A321LR is slated for delivery at some point in early 2021.
Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG's free new biweekly Aviation newsletter!
The Airbus A321LR is a longer-range variant of the carrier's newest A321neo. With a range of about 4,700 miles, the LR-version can comfortably fly fully loaded between the U.S. Northeast and Western Europe. It will allow JetBlue to expand to London — a mission that's been on the carrier's long-term plan for years.
While we already learned what the plane would look like on the outside, we still don't yet know the cabin configuration.
In September, JetBlue unveiled a new tail fin design dubbed "streamers" to celebrate its launch of transatlantic travel.
According to the carrier, the waving ribbon motif was chosen to celebrate the big milestone. As for the shades of blue, JetBlue explained that they're a nod to ocean waves and the jet stream. The airline plans to adorn streamers on all the tails of its 13 A321LRs that it has on order.
To coincide with its first transatlantic flight, JetBlue is planning to launch a new Mint business-class product. The carrier hasn't released any clues yet as to the new seat, but we're hopeful that each pod will feature direct aisle access.
As for the amenities and culinary offerings, JetBlue just launched brand-new offerings with updated Tuft & Needle bedding, refined restaurant-inspired dining, noise-canceling headsets and amenity kits. It remains to be seen if these offerings will be deployed on the London routes.
Mint has already revolutionized the premium transcontinental market — both in terms of pricing and product. So it seems poised to do the same to the New York- (JFK) and Boston-(BOS)-to-London market when flights start in late 2021.
Related: JetBlue says likelihood of London Heathrow flights has improved because of pandemic
The carrier hasn't finalized which London-area airport(s) it will fly to. Of course, many business travelers prefer Heathrow, but it's historically been hard for airlines to start new service to this slot-controlled airport — unless they're willing to buy the rights from another airline for tens of millions of dollars.
JetBlue has hinted that the likelihood of Heathrow flying has increased due to the pandemic. With long-haul flying at record lows, some airlines might forfeit their slots, or sell them at a discount to newcomers like JetBlue.
JetBlue plans to take delivery of three total A321LRs in 2021, and three more in 2022, under a revised delivery schedule unveiled in late October.
To unlock even more range, the airline has already ordered the A321XLR, with deliveries slated to begin in 2023. This plane will allow JetBlue to fly to even more European destinations when it enters the fleet.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees