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JetBlue orders 30 more Airbus A220s, accelerates Embraer 190 retirements

Feb. 15, 2022
2 min read
JetBlue orders 30 more Airbus A220s, accelerates Embraer 190 retirements
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Good news for JetBlue flyers looking for more flights on the crowd-pleasing Airbus A220.

The New York-based airline on Tuesday announced that it was exercising 30 purchase options for the A220-300. When all aircraft are delivered, which is expected by 2026, JetBlue will operate 100 of the jets – originally designed by Canadian manufacturer Bombardier before its commercial plane unit was acquired by Airbus. JetBlue currently operates eight A220s in its fleet.

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The order announced Tuesday will allow JetBlue to accelerate the retirement of its Embraer 190 fleet. The last E190 is now scheduled to exit the fleet in 2026.

“We’re already seeing benefits from the eight A220s we’ve added to the fleet, and we’re very happy to have more on the way,” JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes said in a statement. “We’ve seen double-digit increases in customer satisfaction scores, and these fuel-efficient aircraft support our leadership in reducing carbon emissions. With 30 additional A220s on order, we’re in a position to accelerate our fleet modernization plans to deliver stronger cost performance and support our focus city network strategy.”

JetBlue's A220 features an all-coach configuration, with 28 rows of seats in a 2-3 configuration — a total of 140 seats. Thirty of the seats are JetBlue's Even More Space extra legroom seats, with 35 inches of pitch. The other 110 seats are standard Core seats, with a generous 32 inches of pitch.

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More: Take a look inside JetBlue’s swanky new Airbus A220

As has been the case since JetBlue's launch, all seats feature personal televisions. On the A220, the screens are 10.1 inches. Free WiFi is available on the A220 fleet, as is standard on JetBlue. The A220 features high-speed ViaSat 2 receivers.

The A220 is primarily used out of JetBlue's base at Boston Logan Airport (BOS). This month, it operates primarily to the southeastern U.S, Florida and some mid-continent routes — including four cities in Texas. By this summer, JetBlue plans use the A220 on transcontinental routes, including on its first-ever service to Canada. Flights to Vancouver International (YVR) begin on June 9.

JetBlue's July 2022 A220 network. (Screenshot courtesy of Cirium)
Featured image by (Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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    670-850
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Why We Chose It

Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.

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  • Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
  • SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
  • New: 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.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees