JetBlue retires Embraer E190, pivots to a two-family Airbus fleet
September 10, 2025
JetBlue has officially retired the Embraer E190 after nearly two decades of service, completing a fleet transition toward next-generation Airbus aircraft. The milestone coincides with another landmark moment for the carrier: the delivery of its 50th Airbus A220-300.
A farewell flight for the Embraer E190
The last E190 revenue flight, commemoratively numbered #190, operated on Tuesday from New York–JFK to Boston, retracing the route where JetBlue first introduced the type in 2005. Festivities were held at both airports, with customers, crewmembers, and guests marking the occasion.
JetBlue Chief Operating Officer Warren Christie, who captained the inaugural E190 flight in 2005, returned to the cockpit for the farewell journey.
“I am proud to operate today’s flight, as it marks a significant evolution of our fleet,” Christie said. “The E190 was instrumental in our early years and proved to deliver on critical connectivity in short-haul markets, allowing us to grow into new regions, especially in our New York and Boston focus cities.”
The flight also reunited several of the original crew members and guests who helped launch the E190 during JetBlue’s expansion.
The role of the E190 in JetBlue’s growth
JetBlue was the first airline in the world to operate the 100-seat E190. The aircraft allowed the carrier to establish new city pairs, particularly from its New York and Boston hubs, where larger Airbus narrowbodies were less suited to short-haul and thinner markets. The jet introduced millions of travellers to JetBlue’s product, supporting its reputation for customer service and cabin comfort.
As JetBlue’s network strategy shifted toward higher-capacity and longer-range flying, however, the economics of the E190 became less favourable. Its retirement streamlines JetBlue’s fleet, reducing maintenance and training costs.
JetBlue fleet streamlines to two Airbus families
With the retirement of the E190, JetBlue’s fleet is now simplified to two Airbus families: the A220 and A320. JetBlue currently has 52 A220s (from an order of 100), 125 Airbus A320-200s, 63 Airbus A321-200s and 37 Airbus A321neo aircraft (with two more on order).
The A220 will play a central role in the airline’s route development, enabling new city pairs and longer-stage markets.
According to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium, JetBlue has over 4,500 flights scheduled on the Airbus A220 this month, with a capacity of over 758,600 seats.
The three busiest routes are Boston-Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (over 200 flights), Boston-New York JFK airport (over 170 flights), and Boston-Philadelphia (over 100 flights).
The three longest routes are currently Boston-Vancouver, British Columbia (2,514 miles), New York JFK-Burbank, California (2,465 miles), and New York JFK-Reno, Nevada (2,411 miles).
Configured with 140 Collins Aerospace Meridian seats, JetBlue’s A220s offer the widest economy seats in its fleet, enlarged overhead bins, custom storage features, and power at every seat with AC, USB-A, and USB-C outlets. Customers also benefit from extra-large windows, free high-speed Fly-Fi, and JetBlue’s in-flight entertainment system.
From an operational standpoint, the A220 provides significant advantages: lower fuel burn, optimised maintenance intervals, and range capability suited for transcontinental missions that the E190 could not support. The aircraft’s economics align with JetBlue’s broader JetForward strategy, striking a balance between growth ambitions and cost efficiency, and sustainability.
