jetBlue (for now) will not be coming to Italy. American airline reduces fleet and postpones A321 deliveries

Probably of the companies that don't fly to Italy jetBlue has been the one most mentioned on our pages. It was the first American business class to be reviewed on the youtube channel and the one that we have followed closely over the years with every announcement, because Italy was the likely first destination for intercontinental expansion, but this will not be the case.

Indeed, even the current routes to London, Paris and Amsterdam are set to be reduced.

Jetblue's tear-and-blood plan to return to profitability

The airline announced the postponement of deliveries of the 44 Airbus A320neo family. The first planes were to arrive next year and continue until 2029. Now these planes will arrive (perhaps) starting in 2030.

At the same time, the carrier Will put all Embraers in service out of the fleet. This means that jetBlue's fleet will consist solely of Airbus in the various A220/A320 declinations.

The halt to deliveries, which are imminent, of the A321xlr thus puts on hold any possible expansion of the American company's intercontinental network. In fact, today routes to the old continent are operated with A321LRs, but it was with the XLRs that the company would make the assault on Europe, aiming to exploit at 100% the qualities of the machine combined with the excellent quality of the product offered.

In a nutshell, this will allow the company to Defer more than 3 billion in spending to purchase machines, rationalize maintenance and fleet management thereby achieving cost reduction.

The A220/300 deliveries, one of which was on display at the recent fair in Farnborough, aircraft intended in part to replace Embraers and in part to take the place of the older A320s in service and not aligned in terms of on-board product.

A first slowdown after years of expansion

Undoubtedly this company has focused very strongly on growth, especially post covid. Aggressive marketing, premium booths and top-notch service.

Big plans such as new terminal at JFK and also several attempts at low-cost carrier acquisitions and business partnerships with AA. Projects blocked by shareholders and anti trusts.

Now comes a sharp setback, the company has abandoned some markets (Los Angeles), cut routes to many destinations in Central and South America, and now the most painful choice of all, delaying deliveries of planes that were supposed to bolster intercontinental growth.

Who will end up with jetBlue's A321s

A321s, especially XLRs, are machines that are invaluable to companies. Airbus will not cry over jetblue's decision because. planes will end up (before time) at other carriers. Certainly, however, if this were the first sign of a slowdown in orders, after 36 months of incredible numbers things could change.

Obviously as an avgeek I regret having to put my heart on my sleeve and give up the idea of Flying aboard the Mint Suite from Italy to New York. for the next five or six years, at a minimum.