GTF Engine Woes ‘Largest Headwind’ for JetBlue

The airline expects more aircraft to be grounded in the next two years.

The wing of a JetBlue A220 jet (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

[ Planes ]February 19, 2025 2:11 pm ET

By Ryan Ewing

JetBlue continues to sound the alarm over ongoing issues with Pratt & Whitney’s Geared Turbofan engines. The airline expects aircraft groundings to peak in the next one to two years.

The engines power the New York-based carrier’s Airbus A220 and A321neo aircraft. Last year, it had 11 grounded jets due to these issues, JetBlue CFO Ursula Hurley said during an investors conference on Wednesday.

“ Clearly the largest headwind for JetBlue at the moment is the GTF engine,” she added.

According to Cirium Fleet Analyzer data, JetBlue has 15 GTF-powered aircraft grounded, including six A220s and nine A321neos. The carrier has a total of 38 A220s and 28 A321neos in active service.

Issues with the Pratt & Whitney engine type have plagued airlines worldwide. Cirium data shows around 700 GTF-powered aircraft out of service.

JetBlue’s plans are “pretty conservative,” Hurley said. Aircraft may return to service sooner depending on supply chain and shop availability.

“ We’re very excited for GTF when it works. We just need to get through the quality issues now,” JetBlue President Marty St. George added. The engines can be off-wing for as long as a year, per the airline.

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Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

Follow Ryan

Author

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.
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