The carrier announced plans to downgrade over 300 captains.
A JetBlue A320 in Marana, Arizona. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
JetBlue is planning to shake up its pilot workforce next year. On Friday, the airline’s vice president of flight operations Jeff Winter told crew members that it would be implementing captain downgrades and base displacements.
These moves come as the New York-based airline continues to moderate capacity after posting a loss of $60 million in the third quarter. During an October earnings call, company leadership said the airline also plans to ground more Airbus A220 and A321neo aircraft next year due to ongoing Pratt & Whitney engine troubles.
The airline expects the number of grounded aircraft to average in the mid-to-high teens in 2025.
During a Friday meeting with its pilots, Winter said the airline will cut 343 captain positions across its system late next year, according to a source familiar with the discussion. Among the most impacted will be its Los Angeles pilot base, which will see a reduction of 85 captains and 65 first officers.
Downgraded captains will presumably be placed into first officer positions.
Amid a slew of recently announced furloughs at Spirit and Mesa, JetBlue assured its pilots that no involuntary separations are immediately planned. The carrier has approximately 4,500 pilots in its ranks.
Winter did add that the carrier is in talks with the Air Line Pilots Association — the union representing JetBlue’s pilots — to offer early retirements.
In January, JetBlue offered early buy-outs to several workgroups, not including pilots, flight attendants, or mechanics. At the time, the airline touted its “no-furlough commitment.”
A JetBlue spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.
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