JetBlue Pulls Two Airbus A320s From Service for VIP Charter Reconfiguration, Targeting NHL Team Transport
Why It MattersThe reconfiguration signals a broader shift among major U.S. carriers toward dedicated sports-charter aircraft, joining Atlas Air, Delta, American, and United in this niche segment.
JetBlue has taken two Airbus A320 aircraft out of scheduled service to be retrofitted in an all-VIP configuration, according to aviation insider JonNYC. The airline aims to return the reconfigured aircraft to service by October, primarily to transport sports teams, specifically National Hockey League clubs, across North America.
The move marks a new direction for JetBlue, which has until now operated its fleet in standard configurations for regular scheduled service. The carrier's current fleet, according to ch-aviation data, includes 125 Airbus A320-200s, 63 Airbus A321-200s, 38 Airbus A321neos, and 65 Airbus A220-300s.
While the exact VIP layout for the two A320s has not been confirmed, the aircraft are expected to be fitted with JetBlue's BlueFirst domestic first-class seats rather than the Mint lie-flat product, which is reserved for A321neo and A321LR transatlantic and transcontinental routes and offers a 1-by-1 fully lie-flat configuration. BlueFirst seats feature custom foam-lined recliners, up to seven additional inches of legroom compared to standard economy, a five-inch recline, and 13.3-inch seatback screens, arranged in a 2-by-2 layout.
Other major U.S. carriers that have configured dedicated VIP or all-business-class aircraft include Atlas Air, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines.
