dailynewsnblog
New York based airline JetBlue has reportedly taken two of its Airbus A320 aircraft out of service, to be retrofitted in an all VIP configuration. This will allow the airline to have these reconfigured planes back in service by October, primarily to be used to transport sports teams across the country.
As shared by aviation insider JonNYC on X, the two JetBlue planes are presently being configured into the all VIP configuration, and it is suggested that they will be gearing up to transport the United States National Hockey League across North America. Other major US carriers that have configured dedicated VIP and all-business-class configurations include Atlas Air, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and 
United Airlines.
JetBlue To Reconfigure Two Airbus A320s For VIP Transport
This is a first for JetBlue, which up until now did not have fully configured VIP aircraft. The airline has eight standard aircraft configurations across its fleet of Airbus A220, A320, and A321 family of aircraft, but up until now they carried the standard configurations used for regular scheduled operations. JetBlue’s fleet is made up of the following aircraft types, as per data from ch-aviation:
Aircraft Type | Number Active |
|---|---|
Airbus A320-200 | 125 |
Airbus A321neo | 38 |
Airbus A321-200 | 63 |
Airbus A220-300 | 65 |
The traditional single-aisle Airbus and regional fleet configurations are complemented by the Mint lie-flat product that is used on select coast-to-coast services, while BlueFirst, its new domestic first-class product, is on its way. The move to an all VIP configuration is broadening the airline’s offering to attract high-value charters.
Simple Flying reached out to JetBlue for comment; however, an airline spokesperson could not immediately be reached.
Why Are VIP Charters Worthwhile?
VIP charters are an important market for airlines, as they usually carry high profit margins and can serve high-demand markets like sports teams, where commercial flight schedules cannot always support. A charter flight costs more than standard scheduled ticket costs, and this, as a result, brings in extra income for airlines.
Sports teams, like the NHL, continuously travel across the United States and Canada for games, and require privacy for players, quickly changing schedules, and special diets for meals. The teams would book the whole plane to transport large amounts of gear, as well as team members and support crews.
In some instances, this provides the flexibility and privacy the teams need by using private terminals and skipping long security lines, while operating to custom flight schedules when the client is ready, not the standard public timetable. When teams are looking at an operator for private charters, they will look at details that include crew and aircraft flexibility, and the onboard offering to ensure it is adequate for the high standards that the team demands.
What Would The JetBlue VIP Layout Look Like?
While the details of the JetBlue VIP layout remain unclear, it would be expected that it could be configured in an all-Blue First (domestic first class) layout, in a 2-by-2 layout. These new seats include custom foam-lined recliners that are designed and fabricated with Tuft and Needle flex foam, providing up to seven extra inches (17.8 cm) of legroom when compared to standard economy seats. A five-inch (12.7 cm)recline, paired with a 13.3-inch (33.8cm) seatback screen.
It is more likely that it would be fitted with Blue First seats, rather than JetBlue Mint, due to the capacity then to carry a sufficient number of passengers. Mint products are reserved for the A321neo and A321LR transatlantic or transcontinental routes, and this product offers a 1-by-1 configuration with a fully lie-flat bed.
JetBlue is a low-cost carrier headquartered in Long Island. The airline primarily operates as a point-to-point network; however has since its inception over two decades ago, developed into a leading US carrier with six hubs across the United States and Puerto Rico. Its main hub is maintained at 
New York JFK Airport(JFK), and the airline is not a member of any global alliance; however, it maintains codeshare agreements with many major carriers.
