JetBlue’s First Ever Airplane Being Brought Out Of Retirement

Resurrected From The Boneyard!
JetBlue is Returning its First Ever Airplane Back to Service More Than 10 Months After the 24 Year Old Aircraft Was Retired
“Christine” lives!!!

 

That “relic” had flown safely for 24 years during its entire career,with no major accidents or incidents,aside from a bird strike or two!
Proper maintenance is key,of course!
“Christine” ,along with 11 other Airbus A320s that were previously retired are being returned to service since some of jetBlue’s newer Airbus aircraft are looking at downtime due to manufacturing defects with their engines!
JetBlue’s older Airbus aircraft use International Aero Engines IAE V2500 series turbofan engines. Those engines are proven,having been in service for over 25 years and counting. The newer Airbus A320 NEO(New Engine Option)aircraft use the affected Pratt & Whitney PW1100G geared turbofans. The powdered metal used in the manufacture of those engines was contaminated,leading to all kinds of problems.

 

I’ve sat next to the emergency exit on aircraft that were OLDER than the Airbus aircraft JetBlue has-in particular Boeing 727-100s,200s,McDonnell Douglas DC-9s and one McDonnell Douglas DC-8 Super 71. Most jetliners can stay in service for up to 30-35 years depending on the maintenance and design/fatigue life of the airframe and other components. There are about a couple of dozen Boeing 727s still in service and they’re pushing almost 50 years old.

 

Well it looks like the airframes have a few more cycles left in them if the company is willing to refurbish the cabin(which nowadays with lighter weight materials will make the planes more efficient as well as up to date). The older models are actually fuel efficient (which has been the A320’s calling card ever since it first entered service),it’s just that the newer models are even more efficient.