A JetBlue aircraft has landed at Heathrow ahead of the low-cost carrier’s launch of transatlantic services next month.
The A321LR arrived in London on a ‘validation’ flight to test the capability of the aircraft, crew and ground-handling operations.
The low-cost airline will enter the US-UK market with non-stop services between New York’s John F. Kennedy international Airport (JFK) and the two London hubs.
Heathrow services will begin on August 11, and the first service to Gatwick will depart on September 29, 2021.
More: JetBlue to fly from US to both Heathrow and Gatwick
A spokesman said: “We’ve reached yet another milestone on our way to launching transatlantic service.
“Our Airbus A321LR aircraft has completed a successful validation flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR).
“The aircraft departed JFK Monday night (July 12) and touched down in London a quick six hours and 10 minutes later, around 07.30 local time this morning (July 13).”
Maja Gedosev, Europe general manager for the US airline, tweeted about the flight on Tuesday morning.
Welcome to London @JetBlue#A321LR#jetblue#aviation#milestone#transatlantic#bluecity#newyork@JFKairport@HeathrowAirportpic.twitter.com/McKWX2HbG7
— Maja Gedosev (@MajaGedosev) July 13, 2021
Flights on both routes will operate daily on JetBlue’s new Airbus A321 Long Range (LR) aircraft, which have the range of a wide body aircraft “with the economics of a single-aisle aircraft”, which JetBlue said will allow it to “effectively compete” in the marketplace.