JetBlue’s Airbus A220 was on display at June’s Paris Air Show, giving aviation enthusiasts and industry experts a closer look at the single-aisle jet.

The same month, JetBlue launched its longest route yet using the aircraft — a nonstop flight from Boston to Vancouver, spanning about 2,500 miles.

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Why JetBlue Uses the A220

Although JetBlue is primarily known for operating Airbus A320s, some routes require a smaller, more versatile jet.

The airline currently operates around 50 Airbus A220s, which offer the perfect balance of range and seating capacity for medium-demand destinations.

With 140 seats and a 3,800-mile range, the A220 can serve routes too far for a regional jet, while still being efficient for less busy markets.

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Inside the JetBlue A220

Business Insider toured the aircraft at the Paris Air Show, highlighting its spacious cabin and passenger-friendly design.

The jet features a rare five-abreast seating layout (2-3), reducing the number of middle seats.

Seats measure 18 inches wide, making them some of the most comfortable in economy class.

Premium rows offer up to seven extra inches of legroom, early boarding, complimentary drinks, and priority security at select airports.

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Onboard Features and Passenger Experience

Passengers benefit from overhead bin space improvements, 32-inch pitch for legroom, and JetBlue’s in-flight entertainment system.

The aircraft includes free WiFi, charging options with USB-C, USB-A, and AC outlets, and live TV, though with fewer channels than larger aircraft like the Airbus A321.

Two rear bathrooms provide more space than typically found on smaller jets.

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JetBlue’s Longest A220 Route

In June, JetBlue started flying the A220 between Boston and Vancouver.

This six-hour journey ranks as the airline’s longest A220 route and the fifth-longest A220 flight in the world, according to Cirium data.

The current record belongs to Air Baltic’s Dubai–Latvia flight at 2,684 miles.

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How Airbus Acquired the A220 Program

The A220 began as Bombardier’s CSeries program in 2008, entering service in 2016.

However, financial difficulties, cost overruns, and pressure from Boeing put Bombardier in trouble.

In 2017, Boeing accused the company of unfairly selling jets below cost to Delta, sparking U.S. government duties of nearly 300%.

To save the program, Airbus purchased a majority stake for just 1 Canadian dollar and rebranded the aircraft as the A220 in 2018.

Today, the A220 is built in both Quebec and Mobile, Alabama, securing its place as a competitive single-aisle jet.