Tag: transcontinental

JetBlue Rings in New Year with Airbus A220-300 Aircraft

January 3, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

JetBlue (NASDAQ: JBLU) announced it has formally taken delivery of its first Airbus A220-300 aircraft, marking the start of a new era for the airline’s fleet. The aircraft – tail N3008J – is scheduled to arrive at JetBlue’s home at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) this evening from Airbus’s U.S. production facility in Mobile, Ala. It is the first delivery of 70 A220 aircraft JetBlue has on order, which will be phased in to ultimately replace the existing fleet of 60 Embraer 190 aircraft.

The A220 boasts a nearly 30 percent lower direct operating cost per seat than the current E190. Lower seat costs come from both fuel and non-fuel savings. The A220 fleet will also help to further reset JetBlue’s maintenance costs well into the decade. The airline anticipates the A220 fleet, with improved reliability and longer maintenance intervals, will have a maintenance cost per seat that is more than 40 percent lower than E190s.

With a range of up to 3,350 nautical miles and a 40 percent lower fuel burn per seat than JetBlue’s E190 aircraft, the favorable economics open the door to new markets and routes that would have been unprofitable with JetBlue’s existing fleet. The A220 covers a wide mix of new and existing market possibilities with excellent economics on short, medium and even potentially transcontinental markets. This will allow for better overall aircraft utilization and provide a competitive advantage for JetBlue in short haul markets.

The A220 is powered exclusively by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, which deliver double-digit improvements in fuel and carbon emissions. Optimizing fuel burn is an important first step in JetBlue’s cost-conscious sustainability strategy, and prioritizing fuel-efficient aircraft and engines aligns with JetBlue’s approach to reducing emissions. Earlier this year, JetBlue became the first major U.S. airline to achieve carbon neutrality for all domestic flights, and later announced its plans to achieve net zero carbon emissions across all operations by 2040. The A220’s significant reduction in per-seat emissions will help JetBlue meet and maintain its sustainability commitments.

The interior of JetBlue’s A220 will be as impressive as the operating capabilities of the aircraft. Customers will also enjoy an elevated inflight experience with wider seats, spacious overhead bins and extra-large windows. JetBlue’s fleet features the most legroom in coach (a) and free Fly-Fi®, the fastest broadband internet in the sky (b). JetBlue will reveal details of its custom-designed A220 cabin – featuring thoughtful, customer-friendly touches throughout – in January 2021.

JetBlue continues to navigate the new travel environment with a steady hand and a long-term view on recovery. The investment in the A220 allows the airline to continue to execute its low cost business model, and enables JetBlue to continue to offer low fares to more customers.

Click the link below to view the JetBlue Airbus A220-300 Aircraft time lapse video!

https://mms.businesswire.com/media/20201231005234/en/849666/19/4822028_JetBlue_A220-300_Timelapse_1.mp4&.mp4?download=1

JetBlue to Add 4 Nonstop Routes from Hartford’s Bradley Airport

September 23, 2020 / WIL BALDWIN

– Adding Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Cancún, Mexico to Schedule

– JetBlue Planning to be the Largest Carrier in Connecticut by 2021

JetBlue (NASDAQ: JBLU) today announced it is expanding service in Hartford, Conn., with four new nonstop routes between Bradley International Airport (BDL) and Los Angeles (LAX), Las Vegas (LAS), San Francisco (SFO) and Cancún, Mexico (CUN)*. These routes are part of JetBlue’s strategy to add routes with high potential for leisure demand, and will set the airline up to be the largest carrier in Connecticut by 2021.

Last week, Connecticut simplified its travel advisory enabling all travelers visiting or returning to the state to provide a negative COVID-19 test result obtained within 72 hours prior to or upon arrival to avoid the state’s 14-day quarantine.

“We are excited to roll out these new routes connecting Hartford to some of our largest leisure destinations, bringing more low fares and great service to Connecticut residents,” said Scott Laurence, head of revenue and planning, JetBlue. “We are proud to play our part in support of Gov. Lamont’s economic recovery plan. We see great long-term potential for our business in Connecticut, as it becomes an increasingly attractive place to live and work. Additionally, the simplified travel advisory gives clarity to everyone who needs or wants to travel through Bradley International Airport.”

“One of Connecticut’s best competitive assets is its international airport in such close proximity to so many of our communities and employers,” said Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont. “This strengthening of the partnership with JetBlue shows once again how important Bradley International Airport is to our present and our future. More routes, and a strong international airport are key to Connecticut’s success.”

“We are thrilled that JetBlue has taken the step to strengthen their presence and route network at Bradley Airport with this impressive launch of four new cities,” said Kevin Dillon, executive director, Connecticut Airport Authority. “JetBlue is an important partner for us, and we are very pleased to see that the airline recognizes the potential of the Bradley Airport market. We are confident that our strengthened partnership will provide major benefits for Connecticut travelers, JetBlue, and Bradley Airport.”

JetBlue has built a sizeable presence in Hartford with up to 12 flights per day pre-pandemic and has been instrumental in adding new routes and lowering fares for state residents. When the routes launch in the coming months, JetBlue will have the most nonstop destinations from Bradley International Airport of any carrier.

Service between Bradley International Airport (BDL) and:

Cancún, Mexico (CUN)*Launching November 19, 2020

Los Angeles (LAX)Launching December 18, 2020

Las Vegas (LAS)Launching December 18, 2020

San Francisco (SFO)Launching December 18, 2020

The announcement for new Connecticut routes comes shortly after the airline revealed a lineup of two dozen all-new nonstop destinations, plus expanded Mint service in Newark and Los Angeles. Each route plays to JetBlue’s strengths in the airline’s focus cities, in Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean or on cross-country – or transcontinental – flying. Every market has been identified as one in which JetBlue anticipates increasing demand for leisure travel.

In anticipation of these recent network additions, JetBlue is readying some aircraft that have been temporarily parked. The airline is dedicated to remaining flexible, continuing to assess the airline’s network and allowing market demand to determine how long a particular route continues to operate.

First Egypt Air A220-300 Makes Maiden Flight

August 25, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

The first A220-300 for EgyptAir has successfully completed its inaugural test flight from the Mirabel assembly line. The first of 12 aircraft EgyptAir has on order is due to be delivered to the Cairo-based airline in the coming weeks.

The A220 for EgyptAir will provide passengers with superior comfort, its innovative cabin design featuring the widest economy seats of any single-aisle aircraft, and panoramic windows for more natural light. The aircraft, which is outfitted with a brand new cabin layout of 134 seats, will now enter its final phase of completion before delivery.

The A220 delivers unbeatable fuel efficiency and true wide-body comfort in a single-aisle aircraft. The A220 brings together state-of-the-art aerodynamics, advanced materials and Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation PW1500G geared turbofan engines to offer at least 20% lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous generation aircraft. With a range of up to 3,400 nm (6,300 km), the A220 offers the performance of larger single-aisle aircraft.

More than 80 A220 aircraft are flying with five operators on regional and transcontinental routes in Asia, America, Europe and Africa, proving the great versatility of Airbus’ latest addition.

JetBlue Rings in New Year with Airbus A220-300 Aircraft

JetBlue to Add 4 Nonstop Routes from Hartford’s Bradley Airport

First Egypt Air A220-300 Makes Maiden Flight

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