Before a much-anticipated start of JetBlue’s (JBLU) transatlantic operations with the Airbus A321LR, the only question remains which airport in London, United Kingdom, the airline would be flying to. Seemingly, Heathrow Airport (LHR) could be the answer.
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) was spotted as a JetBlue (JBLU) destination on the airline’s route map, as well as the removal of the airport’s status as operated by a “partner airline”, as first spotted by a user on social media. Furthermore, LHR’s Terminal finder showcases JetBlue (JBLU), identified by its International Air Transport Association (IATA) code B6, utilizing Terminal 2 as the designated terminal for flights B61407 and B61408 that arrive and depart from New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), starting from August 2, 2021.
Since JetBlue (JBLU) has removed LHR as a potential destination from its booking engines. However, the airport’s Terminal finder still showcases JetBlue’s (JBLU) daily flights between the two megacities between August 2 and September 12, 2021. The flights are scheduled to arrive at 10:10 AM local time (UTC +0) and depart at 6:10 PM local time (UTC +0).
According to data by Airport Coordination Limited (ACL), an organization that coordinates slots at multiple airports around the world, JetBlue (JBLU) requested 42 slots at LHR. However, it had received none. At two other airports in the British capital, namely Gatwick (LGW) and Stansted (STN), the airline received 14 (out of 28 requested) and 28 (out of 28), respectively.
ACL data also indicate that JetBlue (JBLU) did not participate in any slot trades, which would grant B6 slots from other airlines.
JetBlue (JBLU) first announced its plans to fly to London in April 2019, indicating that the preliminary date was sometime in 2021. The aircraft utilized for the flights will be the Airbus A321LR that also includes its poster business class cabin product, Mint. Most recently, the New York-based carrier revealed the updated version of Mint, which would first feature on the flights to London. The new version includes two private suites and additional 24 lie-flat beds in business class.