JetBlue to phase out its smallest jet next year — but delay delivery of 44 new aircraft
The end is near for the smallest aircraft in JetBlue's fleet — one that's certainly seen better days.
The New York-based carrier now plans to phase out the final two dozen or so Embraer E190 jets in its fleet by the end of 2025, executives confirmed Tuesday.
The news comes despite revelations that JetBlue will actually lean more heavily on the rest of its existing fleet. The carrier detailed plans Tuesday to delay delivery timelines for dozens of new jets amid a push to return the company to profitability for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.
JetBlue's E190s headed for the exit
The E190 is easily the smallest aircraft in JetBlue's fleet, carrying 100 passengers in a two-by-two configuration — a capacity nearly 30% smaller than that of the Airbus A220 generally replacing the fleet.
JetBlue has 22 E190s still flying today, chief financial officer Ursula Hurley said on a conference call with analysts Tuesday.
The carrier plans to retire six of those jets by the end of 2024 and the remaining 15 by the end of 2025, Hurley said.
Sure, these jets have advantages — at least in the main cabin — over similar aircraft operated by the regional fleet of the "Big Three" legacy airlines. Even these smaller E190s on JetBlue boast the seatback screens, live television and free Wi-Fi that are staples of the airline's brand.
But the aircraft (and its seatback screens, for that matter) more than show their age nowadays.
Related: JetBlue TrueBlue program: Earn and redeem points, transfer partners and more
TPG flew the aircraft as part of a 2021 search to find the "worst airline seats in America," though it generally drew better reviews than some of its counterparts.
JetBlue otherwise focusing on existing fleet
Even as JetBlue bids farewell to its E190 fleet, the carrier is tapping the brakes on new jets.
The airline announced a major shift Tuesday, revealing an agreement with Airbus to push 44 A321neo aircraft deliveries beyond 2030 — a deferral of nearly $3 billion in expenses.
It comes as the airline has battled subpar financial performance in recent years and as prolonged maintenance (stemming from an engine issue at Pratt & Whitney affecting numerous A320neo family aircraft) has complicated the carrier's future plans.
JetBlue expects to have an average of 11 aircraft grounded at any given point in 2024 — a number it expects will rise in 2025 and affect the airline (and other carriers) in the coming years.
"At this stage, we simply can't afford to continue taking delivery of costly new aircraft that may need to be parked due to engine availability issues," Hurley said Tuesday.
Pushing back those new aircraft deliveries will require changes in JetBlue's plans though, leaders acknowledged.
While not delaying the phase-out of its E190s, the carrier is planning to extend the life of a handful of A320 aircraft.
JetBlue aircraft types
JetBlue leaders note the sunsetting of the E190 will give the airline a simpler fleet of A220s and A320 family aircraft. Although, today, there remains a good bit of variance on what you'll find within its A320 family of planes, including:
- A321LR (long range) with Mint Suites and two Mint Studios
- A321neo with Mint Suites
- A321neo with updated interior
- A321 classic with legacy interior
- A321 classic with legacy Mint seats
- A320 with updated interior
- A320 classic with legacy interior
In any event, the A220 remains a better interior and passenger experience than the outgoing E190s. It also offers far more extra-legroom Even More Space seats; also, compared to the E190, its improved fuel efficiency offers JetBlue a far better option in terms of costs-to-operate.
Network shake-up mostly over
Despite the shake-up in its aircraft plans, leaders said another major Jetblue shake-up is largely complete: its significant network changes.
Over four announcements since the spring, JetBlue has revealed more than 50 route cuts and announced plans to exit 15 cities. Many of the changes — including some announced just last week — take effect in October.
But the big surprises appear to be nearly complete, CEO Joanna Geraghty told analysts.
"We may have some more modest ones to come, but you should not expect this level of network changes ... ongoing," Geraghty said.
Future of transatlantic
As part of its recent network changes, JetBlue has doubled down on its "bread and butter" East Coast leisure markets in New England, New York, Florida and Latin America.
It's also rerouted some of its Mint-equipped aircraft out of Europe for the winter months in favor of warm-weather destinations like Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). This is a strategy that president Marty St. George chalked up to a mere seasonal shift — not a change in JetBlue's overall bullishness on Europe — speaking to TPG in an exclusive interview last month.
Geraghty reiterated Tuesday that Europe remains "an important part of the JetBlue market" and that recent changes are "by no means a retreat." She acknowledged aircraft deferrals announced this week "will have an impact" on its future transatlantic growth.
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