Air TransportJetBlue fine-tunes fleet strategy with A220 amid Pratt & Whitney engine woes
JetBlue Airways is reshaping its post-Embraer fleet strategy with a focus on efficiency and simplification. Following the retirement of its Embraer E190s in September 2025, the New York–based carrier continues to sell its remaining E190 aircraft and engines while preparing to operate an all-Airbus fleet composed of A220, A320neo, and A321neo models.
According to the company’s third-quarter 2025 investor filing, JetBlue has already completed the sale of 12 E190 airframes and 20 engines, part of a larger agreement covering 25 aircraft and 59 engines signed in June. Deliveries began in July and will continue through the second quarter of 2026.
In July 2025, JetBlue also sold its two on-order Airbus A321XLR aircraft to an undisclosed buyer. The airline will still take delivery of both jets — one in the fourth quarter of 2025 and another in early 2026 — before transferring them to the new owner.
A220 parked
Looking ahead, JetBlue holds options for 20 Airbus A220-300s, scheduled for potential delivery between 2027 and 2028, reinforcing its strategy in the 130-seat market segment once covered by the E190. However, both the A220 and A321neo fleets continue to face engine reliability challenges involving Pratt & Whitney’s PW1500G and PW1100G GTF engines.
The engine manufacturer is conducting inspections mandated by the FAA due to a powdered-metal defect affecting components built between 2015 and 2021.
As a result, JetBlue reported six aircraft grounded as of September 30, with each engine overhaul taking roughly 200 days for the A220 and 300 days for the A321neo to return to service.
JetBlue expects to average fewer than 10 grounded aircraft through the end of 2025, with conditions projected to improve into 2026 as engines complete shop visits.
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