JetBlue eyes trans-Atlantic flights with Airbus A321 order

Dallas

JETBLUE Airways Corp ordered 30 Airbus Group SE A321 jetliners valued at US$3.6 billion as the carrier expands its premium cabin service and considers adding its first trans-Atlantic flights.

JetBlue agreed to buy 15 A321s for delivery starting next year, and another 15 A321s with new, more fuel-efficient engines starting in 2020. The carrier can switch some of the second batch to longer-range versions that would enable it to fly across the Atlantic from cities in the eastern US.

The airline is stepping up the growth of its Mint premium service after missing out on a chance to buy Virgin America Inc earlier this year, with the goal of claiming a bigger piece of cross-country markets by offering first-class service at a discount price. The New York-based carrier will decide before the end of 2017 whether to start trans-Atlant…