Today saw Jetblue bring its first proving flight with a long range A321 into London Heathrow.

Airlines operate proving or training flights in advance of a route launch. This is not only to test the aircraft’s capability but also that of the crew and the ground handling operations at the airport in question.

Maja Gedosev, the airlines GM for Europe, tweeted a video clip earlier this morning:

At time of writing Jetblue is poised for its London launch on August 11 (eastbound) with the return westbound service to New York JFK on August 12.

Jetblue wants to make a name for itself in the (normally) fiercely competitive transatlantic marketplace.

For starters it will have different pricing levels for its Mint business class while economy passengers are promised a return to a full service product on board (subject to any restrictions which may be imposed at time of launch).

Jetblue plans novel catering concept for transatlantic economy class

Over the years Jetblue’s rivals at Heathrow have hiked their premium tariffs (although expected a competitive response of sorts) while at the same time reducing their onboard economy offer.

Let us hope that travel restrictions to the US will be lifted in the not too distant future.

As previously reported it is expected more airlines will deploy the new breed of narrow-body long range aircraft in the future.

Yesterday we reported on Scandinavia’s SAS which would be using an A321LR between Copenhagen and Boston from September.

jetblue.com