US airline Jetblue has signalled its intent to further target European destinations from Boston and New York by changing an existing aircraft order with Airbus.
Jetblue has converted an order for 13 Airbus A321neo aircraft into the Xtra Long Range (XLR) version of the jet, which will start being delivered in 2023.
Robin Hayes, chief executive of Jetblue, said: “The incredible extended range of the A321XLR allows us to evaluate even more overseas destinations as we think about Jetblue’s expansion into European markets plagued by high premium fares and subpar service.”
The carrier announced in April that it was planning to launch transatlantic flights to London from both New York JFK and Boston in 2021 using Airbus A321LR aircraft. But it has yet to announce which London airport it will be flying to.
Jetblue said the 13 A321XLRs would allow it to “evaluate new transatlantic options as the airline explores additional destinations it may serve in Europe”.
“The XLR opens up possibilities for service between the northeast US and destinations in south, central and northern Europe,” added the company.
“Like London, Jetblue will explore European cities that suffer from high fares or mediocre service and those which are effectively controlled by legacy carriers and their massive joint ventures.
“Jetblue is developing a reimagined transatlantic version of its premium Mint product, as well as an enhanced transatlantic Core experience for the A321XLR.”
The airline added that it intended to offer “lower fares while raising the bar on what travellers can expect from a low-cost carrier when flying across the Atlantic.”
jetblue.com