JetBlue has made the final revenue flight with its Embraer 190.
The retirement on September 9, 2025, marked the end of nearly two decades of service for the E190 with JetBlue, as the airline transitions to an all-Airbus fleet.
The final E190 flight, B6 190 was from New York’s JFK to Boston, the same cities where JetBlue’s E190 service first took off in 2005.
JetBlue was the first airline worldwide to operate the E190, using it to expand into shorter-haul markets and connect underserved cities, particularly in its New York and Boston focus cities.
As a tribute, JetBlue’s Chief Operating Officer Warren Christie captained the flight, just as he did for the inaugural journey, joined by several original crewmembers and guests.
Warren Christie, JetBlue’s Chief Operating Officer:
“I am proud to operate today’s flight, as it marks a significant evolution of our fleet.
“The E190 was instrumental in our early years and proved to deliver on critical connectivity in short-haul markets, allowing us to grow into new regions, especially in our New York and Boston focus cities. As one of the originating crewmembers to launch the E190 at JetBlue, it is an honor to pilot our final E190 revenue flight.”
JetBlue first flew the ERJ190 in 2005. It was the world’s first carrier to operate the E190 and had about 60 at one time in the late 2010s.
The New York-based airline is replacing the E190 with the Airbus A220-300.
The A220 opens new possibilities for route expansion, including for transcontinental markets where the E190 was not equipped for the range needed.
The E190 had 100 seats in a 2 x 2 layout. The A220-300 has 140 seats in a 2 x 3 layout.
JetBlue now has an all-Airbus fleet of over 250 aircraft, comprising:
- 52 A220s of an order for 100 A220s
- 125 A320
- 63 A321
- 37 A321 neo
Embraer orders
As JetBlue retires its Embraers, others are ordering.
Avelo Airlines has placed a firm order for 50 Embraer E195‑E2 aircraft, with purchase rights for 50 more. Deliveries are expected to begin in the first half of 2027.
The Houston-based carrier will be the first U.S. carrier to operate Embraer’s largest and most advanced commercial aircraft.
E190 at London City
My favourite airport is London City, for many reasons.
One is that most aircraft flying there are Embraer. They are really nice to fly in for a few hours; the 2 x 2 layout makes it seem like a private jet.
British Airways, by far the largest airline there, fly E190 and E170s. KLM and LOT also fly E190s.
