JetBlue Retires the Embraer E190 – Final Flight Marks End of U.S. Service

Photo Credit: LongIslandSpotter

Published September 10, 2025

On September 9, 2025, JetBlue Airways officially retired the Embraer E190 from its fleet. The last flight took place between New York John F. Kennedy International Airport and Boston Logan International Airport. This event closed nearly twenty years of service for the type in the United States. After this retirement, no U.S.-based airline will operate the E190 in scheduled service.

History of the JetBlue E190

JetBlue introduced the Embraer E190 in 2005 as part of its plan to serve smaller markets and short-haul routes. The aircraft provided about 100 seats and was flexible for airports where larger Airbus A320 aircraft were not efficient. At its peak, JetBlue operated more than 60 E190s. The type was used on many routes in the northeast United States, Florida, and the Caribbean.

Key Dates

2005 – First JetBlue E190 delivered.
2005 – Inaugural flight operated by Captain Warren Christie.
2018 – JetBlue announced plans to replace E190s with Airbus A220-300s.
2025 – Final retirement flight on September 9.

The Final Flight – Flight 190

The retirement flight was numbered 190, a reference to the E190 aircraft itself. The flight departed JFK and landed in Boston Logan. The flight was commanded by JetBlue’s Chief Operating Officer, Warren Christie. This was symbolic because Christie also flew the first JetBlue E190 flight in 2005.

Timeline of Events

Time (EDT)	Event
12:40 PM	Flight 190 prepared for departure at JFK.
12:54 PM	Aircraft took off from Runway 04L at JFK.
1:38 PM	Final descent and landing at Boston Logan.
1:39 PM	The aircraft has officially done its last flight, marking an end to its service.

Why the E190 Was Retired

JetBlue has had the E190 for around 20 years. With advancements being made in aviation, the E190 has been replaced by the Airbus A220-300. The A220 provides more seats, lower fuel burn, and reduced maintenance costs. Operating two smaller fleets was no longer efficient for JetBlue, so the E190 phase-out became a key part of its modernization plan.

Impact on U.S. Aviation

With JetBlue’s retirement of the E190, no major U.S. airline now flies the type in scheduled service. This marks the end of a chapter in American aviation where the E190 helped connect small and medium cities to large hubs.

Other Airlines and the E190

While some E190s remain active worldwide, including in South America, Europe, and Asia, the type no longer serves in regular schedules with U.S.-based carriers. This highlights how quickly airlines in the United States have shifted toward larger, more efficient jets like the A220.

Aircraft Details

Manufacturer: Embraer (Brazil)
Type: E190AR (Embraer 190AR)
Seats: 100
Range: About 2,400 nautical miles
Engines: Two General Electric CF34 turbofans

Closing Summary

The JetBlue E190 story has now ended. The aircraft helped JetBlue grow for two decades, serving short-haul routes and new markets. The retirement flight on September 9, 2025, commanded by Warren Christie, closed this chapter with a symbolic full circle moment. From now on, JetBlue will rely on the Airbus A220-300 and Airbus A320 family as its smallest and core narrow-body aircraft.