Jetblue’s 30-jet Airbus order opens door to future Europe routes

epa03560638 (FILE) A file photo dated 16 March 2007 of a pair of JetBlue planes at parking bays at John F. Kennedy airport in Queens, New York. JetBlue on 29 January 2013 reported an operating income of $44 million in the fourth quarter 2012. This compares to operating income of $83 million in the year-ago period. For the full year 2012, JetBlue reported operating income of $376 million. This compares to operating income of $322 million for the full year 2011. JetBlue reported record fourth quarter operating revenues of $1.2 billion despite Hurricane Sandy, which reduced revenue by an estimated $45 million. Revenue passenger miles for the fourth quarter increased 4.3 per cent to 8.1 billion on a capacity increase of 4.8 per cent, resulting in a fourth quarter load factor of 81.9 per cent, a decrease of 0.3 points year over year. EPA/JUSTIN LANE

 

Bloomberg

JetBlue Airways Corp. ordered 30 Airbus Group SE A321 jetliners valued at $3.6 billion as the carrier expands its premium cabin service and opens the door to trans-Atlantic flights.
JetBlue agreed to buy 15 A321s with the current engine option for
delivery starting next year, and 15 more A321s with new, more fuel efficient engines starting in 2020. Discounts are customary for large purchases of planes.
The New York-based airline is adding to its fleet of aircraft configured for its premium offering, known as Mint, which JetBlue started in 2014 to compete with larger carriers flying coast to coast. While the new aircraft will be used in part to expand cross-country routes in the U.S. and broaden service along the West Coast, long-range planes available in 2019 may enable JetBlue to start its first trans-Atlantic flights.
“Our intention is that will be a plane that will give us trans-Atlantic range” Marty St. George, executive vice president for planning, said in an interview. “We certainly see Europe as a great opportunity.”
Five of the first 15 planes under the new order will be in Mint, the airline said. While most of the other 10
are expected to be Mint, JetBlue
can switch between the premium configuration and all-coach, said Doug McGraw, a spokesman. The 15 that begin delivering in 2020 have the same option.

MINT EXPANSION
JetBlue also can shift some of the later order to an extended-range version of the aircraft, which has extra fuel tanks. That variant features a slightly longer range than a Boeing Co. 757-200 while offering similar seating capacity and lower costs, according to Airbus.
JetBlue started Mint service between New York-Los Angeles and New York-San Francisco to retain passengers who were looking for more amenities on coast-to-coast flights at a lower price. Mint fares can dip as low as $599 each way. It has also expanded the service to cities including Las Vegas and Seattle and to destinations in the Caribbean.
“It’s a gigantic order, but it’s very important strategically to what we’re trying to do, especially with Mint,” St. George said. The Mint cabin includes 16 lie-flat seats, including four “private suites” that have partitions that can be closed. Passengers also have 15-inch flat video screens on seat backs, power outlets, USB ports and customized menus.
The carrier began widening its Mint growth plans in April, after losing out to Alaska Airlines in bidding to acquire Virgin America Inc.

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