Some pilots were offered over $400,000 to retire early.
A JetBlue A320 (Photo: Shutterstock | CarterAerial)
In what JetBlue leadership calls a “win-win,” 67 of its pilots are leaving the airline this month. The airline and Air Line Pilots Association extended voluntary early-outs to some of its 4,500 aviators.
According to a January memo, pilots age 59 on or before March 31 and considered “active” will be eligible for the early-outs. These separations were scheduled to take effect on April 1.
JetBlue will pay out 55 hours of their hourly pay rate until their FAA-mandated retirement date or 18 months from the separation agreement’s effective date, whichever is less.
This means that a 12-year A320 captain, for example, who was set to turn 65 on Dec. 12, 2027, could receive a payment of $416,293.02, the memo stated.
On Tuesday, ALPA – the union representing JetBlue’s pilots – shared that 67 pilots would be leaving the New York-based airline this month as part of these deals.
“We thank each of them for their dedication, countless flights, and commitment to getting our passengers safely to their destinations,” the union stated in a social media post.
The carrier continues to have several new Airbus A220 and A321neo aircraft grounded as a result of Pratt & Whitney GTF engine issues.
“I think it’s a win-win for JetBlue and for some of our pilots who are ready to pursue something after they retire,” JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty said during a recent earnings call. “So it continues to be a focus on how do we manage some of our elevated labor costs in a world where we have as many aircraft on the ground that we have right now with the Pratt & Whitney issue.”
Later this year, the airline also plans to downgrade around 343 captains across its system to first officer positions.
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