- JetBlue Airways is postponing the launch date of its upcoming service from Boston to London.
- The carrier confirmed to Insider that "unexpected production delays" of two Airbus jets forced the change.
- JetBlue partner American Airlines has also adjusted its summer schedule due to delayed aircraft deliveries.
Customers booked on JetBlue Airways' upcoming transatlantic service from Boston may need to take a different flight.
The New York-based carrier confirmed to Insider Tuesday that it is postponing its upcoming service between Boston and London due to "unexpected production delays" of Airbus A321LR aircraft. Specifically, the carrier was set to launch two routes to the UK capital this summer, with flights to London Gatwick slated to begin July 19 and service to London Heathrow planned for August 22.
"Two aircraft scheduled for delivery this summer – which offer greater range than standard A321 aircraft in JetBlue's fleet – are on order specifically to operate transatlantic routes from Boston, and JetBlue was recently notified by Airbus that their delivery will be delayed," JetBlue said in an advisory sent to Insider.
The carrier will now launch flights to Gatwick Airport and Heathrow Airport on August 4 and September 20, respectively. JetBlue told Insider that customers booked on either route will be re-accommodated on flights out of New York's JFK International Airport, put on a partner airline, or given a full refund.
Both flights will operate daily once officially launched and will join JetBlue's current service to London from New York. The A321LR aircraft are configured in a two-class layout, according to JetBlue, including 114 economy seats and 22 "fully-enclosed" Mint business class suites.
JetBlue's adjustments come after its Northeast Alliance partner American Airlines announced it would be pulling out of five international markets this summer due to delayed Boeing 787 Dreamliners, like Edinburgh, Scotland, and Shannon, Ireland.