CELEBRATIONS WERE in order at JetBlue Airways after its maiden fare-paying flight to London/Heathrow –a move the airline says is aimed at “shaking up the transatlantic market”. On August 11, the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-powered Airbus A321LR, N4022J (c/n 10303) Joel Peterson, departed New York/JFK at 2207hrs as Flight B6 007 –a nod to James Bond – with 102 passengers on board, 22 in premium and 80 in economy.
During the transatlantic crossing it passed to the south of Canada’s Newfoundland and reached a maximum altitude of 33,000ft, before skirting the southern tip of the Republic of Ireland and arrived in UK airspace above southern Wales. The two-class, 138-seat jet eventually touched down at Heathrow the next day (August 12) at 0931hrs local time after being airborne for 6hrs 24mins. Robin Hayes, chief executive officer, JetBlue, said: “For the first time in JetBlue’s 21-year history we are crossing the North Atlantic and competing in one of the busiest travel markets in the world, well-positioned to introduce our award-winning service and low fares to a new global audience that is ready for a fresh choice in transatlantic flying.”