US-based JetBlue Airways has modified a previous deal with Airbus to add 30 more A321 aircraft, which include 15 Airbus A321ceo with 'current engine option' and 15 A321neo jets with  'new engine option'. 

Already operates A321 aircraft, the carrier is yet to choose the engine option for the newly ordered aircraft.

From 2019 onwards, JetBlue will be able to configure the 'neo' aircraft to the longer range version of the A321 aircraft, known as A321LR.

JetBlue president and CEO Robin Hayes said: “The A321 is an incredible aircraft that is delivering results for our business.

“We intend to deploy many of these aircraft to expand our successful Mint experience and our west coast presence.”

Airbus’ new manufacturing facility in Mobile, Alabama, US, will manufacture the newly ordered aircraft.

“The A321 is an incredible aircraft that is delivering results for our business."

The first aircraft produced at the Mobile facility has also been delivered to JetBlue, which has already put the aircraft in service.

Airbus customers chief operating officer John Leahy said: “When we decided to build an assembly line in the US, we did it to help meet the increasing demand from our US customers.

“The A320 family is a market leader worldwide, one that has found particularly great success in the US because of its economics, efficiency and comfort.

“We look forward to delivering more and more aircraft from our US facility to our customers here in America.”

JetBlue currently has a fleet of 160 A320 family aircraft, including 130 A320s and 30 A321s.

The latest order has brought the airlines’ backlog of Airbus aircraft to 116 planes, which include 25 A320neo, 31 A321ceo, and 60 A321neo aircraft.

Kuwait-based aircraft leasing group ALAFCO Aviation Lease and Finance Company recently upsized an order of ten A320neos to A321neo aircraft.

Image: JetBlue places orders for 30 additional A321 aircraft with Airbus. Photo: courtesy of Airbus.