JetBlue To Turn A320s Into VIP Aircraft

JetBlue has reportedly withdrawn two Airbus A320-200s from scheduled service to convert them into dedicated VIP charter aircraft.

Flagged by JonNYC, the U.S. carrier is continuing to overhaul its operations to pursue new revenue opportunities and is moving to reconfigure its former scheduled passenger planes.

Once completed, the reconfiguration would give JetBlue access to a VIP layout on its Airbus jets and create a dedicated product for professional sports teams, especially those that critically need these types of planes for frequent flights.

The National Hockey League will begin later this month, and with travel across North America needed, alongside basketball and other sports, the need for VIP charter planes remains.

JetBlue Cuts Two A320s For VIP Conversion?

For now, the confirmed configuration of the VIP jets designated for JetBlue has yet to emerge. However, the reported conversion programme is reportedly underway.

JetBlue’s move towards the reported premium VIP charter is significant compared with its current fleet of narrowbody aircraft, which are standardised and configured for scheduled passenger service.

JetBlue’s product range has evolved dramatically in recent years as it has sought to increase revenue and move beyond profitability to sustainable performance over the coming years.

With Blue First domestic launching on the A320, this first-class product on domestic segments, alongside other lie-flat business-class seats on A321 services across the Atlantic, extra-legroom options, and more, has reshaped the product experience.

Removing two Airbus A320s from the fleet, now standing at comfortably over 100, isn’t noticeable to the naked eye, but it makes an operational difference for the airline; the trade-off for a VIP charter has evidently been deemed worthwhile.

Corporate Charters Set To Come?

The finer details of the proposed VIP cabin across two of JetBlue’s A320 aircraft are for charter purposes, especially sports and corporate travel.

The release of the Domestic First Class product known as Blue First offered a first look at the future of its shorter flights, with enhanced legroom, reclining seats, and a strong seatback entertainment screen at 13.3 inches.

This configuration alone for scheduled passenger services gives the airline more premium seating than its standard A320 and opens the door to future revenue opportunities. Moving into the proposed VIP charter market means the A320’s space could fit the entire cabin with these types of first-class products.

Typically, for charter and especially sports travel, full lie-flat seats aren’t required unless it’s long-haul, which the A320 isn’t capable of.

As a result, something like the Blue First adopted throughout the cabin is an option to keep seat capacity at an attractive figure for not just the players but the full club, including coaches, medical, support, and guests.