JetBlue is reportedly about to offer pilots early outs as the struggling airline shrinks its network in an attempt to return to profitability, according to insider sources cited by trusted aviation source xJonNYC.
The New York-based carrier recently embarked on a transformation project which is has dubbed its ‘JetForward’ strategy. The airline plans to make ‘significant’ network changes, and with such a major drawback in many markets, JetBlue will soon require a lot fewer pilots to operate its aircraft.
On Thursday, aviation insider xJonNYC shared the news on X that he had heard from ‘credible sources’ that JetBlue would soon start paying pilots to retire early as it tries to rightsize its workforce for what it will be a considerably smaller airline.
Interestingly, sources had initially suggested that early outs would not be required but that the situation has dramatically shifted in the last few weeks.
So far, JetBlue has yet to confirm these reports, either internally or publicly, but the writing now appears to be on the wall, and an official announcement is expected soon.
The JetForward strategy has already seen the airline withdraw completely from 15 cities, while the airline is also cutting back some transatlantic flying and has deferred delivery of 44 new airplanes which were meant to drive an ambitious expansion.
Last month, JetBlue offered flight attendants up to six months of unpaid leave in an attempt to both cut costs over the winter season and to ensure that it didn’t have too many crew members for the amount of work that would be available.
The news was shared by JetBlue’s flight attendant union, which warned that flight schedules would soon be ‘significantly reduced’ and that crew members could find themselves spending a lot more time on reserve if they’re weren’t enough flight attendants willing to take an unpaid leave of absence.
In June, it also emerged that JetBlue had disabled the personal privacy doors in its Mint Business Class on some planes because it could then operate these aircraft with less flight attendants on duty.
In the first six months of 2024, JetBlue reported an operating loss of $663 million, but new airline president Marty St. George says he is confident that the carrier can return to profitability.
To do so, St. George recently shared that expansion plans were on hold and that JetBlue would focus on “driving value from our existing assetbase”.