JetBlue chooses Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1100G-JM engine for its fleet of 40 Airbus A320neo aircraft

NEW YORK, 18 Dec. 2011. JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq:JBLU) in New York is choosing the PurePower PW1100G-JM engine from Pratt & Whitney, a United Technologies Corp. company (NYSE:UTX) in East Hartford, Conn., for its fleet of Airbus A320neo aircraft. The A320neo, which stands for new engine option, is the latest version of the Toulouse, France-based aircraft manufacturer's venerable A320 family of single-aisle narrow-body commercial airliners. JetBlue is the first U.S. airline to choose the PurePower engine for its A320neo aircraft, Pratt & Whitney officials say.JetBlue's choice of the Pratt & Whitney engines for its fleet of A320neo aircraft is a setback for the CFM International LEAP-X engine, which is the alternate propulsion choice for the A320neo. JetBlue finalized an order for 40 A320neo aircraft early last month. JetBlue officials announced their 40-aircraft A320neo order at the Paris Air Show in June.

The twin-engine Airbus A320neo family, which is scheduled to enter service in 2016, consists of the latest-model Airbus A320, A321, and A319. The environmentally friendly Pratt & Whitney PW1100G PurePower and CFM International LEAP-X engines provide the aircraft family with some of the best fuel efficiency in its class, Airbus officials say.

Airbus has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for 86 Pratt & Whitney PurePower engines with a long-term PureSolution maintenance service agreement. Deliveries for the carrier's firm aircraft order are scheduled to start in 2018.

Each JetBlue Airbus A320neo aircraft will have two PurePower PW1100G-JM engines, which are expected to reduce engine noise and operating costs when compared with today's engines. The PurePower engine uses an advanced gear system that enables the engine's fan to operate at a different speed than the low-pressure compressor and turbine. The combination of the gear system and an all-new advanced core is expected to increase fuel efficiency and benefit the environment.

For more information contact Pratt & Whitney online at www.pw.utc.com, JetBlue at www.jetblue.com, or Airbus at www.airbus.com.