JetBlue's choice of the E190

[Airliner]

Just curious if anyone knows why JetBlue decided on the E190 instead of the A318.

It seems that, as a low cost carrier, they would want to keep with the same family for commonality, shared type-rating, etc. Since the
A318 is basically a shortened A320, this would seem the more likely candidate for a regional airliner than the Embraer.

[poden]

The E190 costs A LOT less than the A318; enough, apparently, to make it worthwhile having dissimilar planes in the fleet.

[olseric]

Aren't they operating E170s as well? If so, then I'm going to presume that they have a similar cockpit (i.e. easy transition training) as well
as similar maintenence procedures.

But then again, they use A320s as well so that kinda shoots my theory to hell.

[jetBlue220]

No, they only have E190s and A320s.

[Valoran]

Politics? Perhaps it's part of an "unrelated" trade package the governments negotiated. ...Or the E190 is just that much cheaper to
purchase and operate. Perhaps the bit with the A380's teething problems was a factor.

[olseric]

Okay, now my theory is really like Swiss cheese.

[Airliner]

I figured it must be either a performance issue or a flat out, bottom line price factor - either purchase/lease or upkeep. But, in terms of
performance, I was under the impression that Airbus was one of the most efficient out there - well, at least until "my boys" in Seattle get
the B788 airborne!

Oh no - no Boeing/Airbus wars please!

[WBHoenig]

That did really suprise me that they didn't choose the a318 or 737-600. And they are operating them on some longer routes, like KAUS to KBOS, which
is ~1562.2 nm according to route finder.
Also, the reasoning behind not keeping all parts and pilots common was quite wierd. That is one of the staples of probably their biggest competiter's
success, SWA.

[Airliner]

WBHoenig wrote:
That did really suprise me that they didn't choose the a318 or 737-600. And they are operating them on some longer routes, like KAUS to
KBOS, which
is ~1562.2 nm according to route finder.
Also, the reasoning behind not keeping all parts and pilots common was quite wierd. That is one of the staples of probably their biggest
competiter's
success, SWA.

EXACTLY my thoughts. I saw a big thing on commonality once and the comparison between WN and legacy carriers so I did my own
comparisons. I did UA and it's affiliates (Air Wiz, etc.) and found that the "Big Boys" tend to fine tune each route's aircraft to the very pax.
They want to cover every market so while a B735 works fine here, they need a JS41 elsewhere, a B190 on another, CRJ2 somewhere
else - that's 4 different manufacturers right there! WN's strategy is not simply on the aircraft choice but more on the routes they fly. I read
that they will only start service on a route that can support 9 of their aircraft per day. Also, they limit themselves on route length. So
between demand and distance, they've locked themselves out of a lot of markets but instead choose to maximize the markets that fit their
profile. VERY solid strategy. The fact that they avoid heavily congested markets also helps to maximize fleet utilization as they can keep
the planes in the air longer, which is where they make their money. I thought it was so weird, going from MHT to BOS (working, not flying -
that would be stupid. ) At MHT, most airlines would pull in and not even shutdown the engines, save for US's Dash 8's and their
B732's - MetroJet. They, for the most part just pulled in, turned around and left. Southwest would normally turn in 30 minutes or less,
again, not even bothering to shut the engines down. After going to BOS, where I handled US Airways only, completely different animal.
Where I used to see flight crews shake hands with each other at the door, passing info about the aircraft as they exchanged places, here
I rarely saw the second crew - planes came in, shut down and there was quite some time between arrival and next departure. Well,
except for the Express outfit - complete chaos at all times. Anyone that's every flown out of Logan's gate B9 know's what I'm talking
about!