Jet2.com

[White Heather]

There’s no chance they’d order a subfleet with differing engines just for LBA! The additional cost of engineering support and spares not to mention a logistical nightmare operationally come to mind right off the bat, I mean it’s self evident why all the remaining 75’s and 300’s are kept at the same bases and the ceo’s will be returned to the leesor as soon as their current leases expire.

The neo has two engine options - CFM International’s LEAP-1A or Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower PW1100G-JM geared turbofan, the latter having well publicised issues.

I am quite certain all the neo’s delivered direct from Airbus will be equipped with the LEAP-1A further enhancing Jet2’s long standing relationship with GE and Safran.

And I believe anyway that the only engine option from RR these days is the Trent, a wide body engine that's too big for an A321NEO. Rolls only seem interested in powering long haul these days.

 

[pilot_737]

I am not saying this will happen, but in years to come when the 738s have to be retired, who knows what other suitable Airbus aircraft may be available, or whether future engine development allows LBA ops for A21N's. This potential news is though currently disappointing for LBA in the shorter term. The one positive though is that with a phased retirement of B733's over the next 3 years we will at least have all B738s - hopefully just as many based units as now overall. The caveat to that being LBA will eventually run out of space for new stands, so for continued growth, then individual aircraft capacity needs to evolve.

Absolutely spot on!

 

[oldendays]

Bring back the RB211, a modernised version of course and stick those to the wings!

 

[pilot_737]

Most of seems to be adding 2 and 2 together and coming up with an answer of 52. Meanwhile, here’s what Jet’2 CEO has actually put on record in relation to summer 26 from LBA.

Steve Heapy, chief executive at Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: "Our Summer 26 programme from Leeds Bradford Airport represents a huge expansion with more seats on sale, meaning holidaymakers have never had so much choice and flexibility. As well as offering customers and independent travel agents a greater selection of flights and holidays to choose from, our enormous Summer 26 programme allows them to book in advance and get a date in their diary now.

"While we may be announcing our biggest Summer 26 programme to date from Leeds Bradford Airport, we are not done yet and will be revealing even more good news about our 2026 operations from the airport very soon. Our Summer 26 programme promises to be our best yet, and we have every confidence it will be a huge success."

This may be a twist of words in the press release you have quoted.

The official release to staff reads exactly like quoted in your last paragraph, but without the reference to any airport.

So it seems some 'news' is to come, but who knows what!!

 

[Len Fish]

From what I’ve read Jet2 have already signed engine contracts for the LEAP-1A engines to power all its remaining A321 deliveries.

 

[White Heather]

From what I’ve read Jet2 have already signed engine contracts for the LEAP-1A engines to power all its remaining A321 deliveries.

Unless I've misunderstood, the problem isn't that the Leap 1A is unsuitable for ops out of LBA. The problem is that Jet2 own the engines as well as the airframes, understandably don't want to subject their engines to undue wear, so operate them with restricted power? That results in issues at LBA due to terrain clearance requirements?

So, if Jet2 do operate their A321NEOs at LBA they will be subjected to significant operational restrictions, or, the restricted engine performance would need to be removed and the engines operated as normal, but with the result they would suffer greater wear.

Even if Jet2 has selected the P&W engines, they may still have followed the same policy, although I believe those engines are slightly more powerful than the Leap 1A.

Have I got this right?

 

[pilot_737]

Unless I've misunderstood, the problem isn't that the Leap 1A is unsuitable for ops out of LBA. The problem is that Jet2 own the engines as well as the airframes, understandably don't want to subject their engines to undue wear, so operate them with restricted power? That results in issues at LBA due to terrain clearance requirements?

So, if Jet2 do operate their A321NEOs at LBA they will be subjected to significant operational restrictions, or, the restricted engine performance would need to be removed and the engines operated as normal, but with the result they would suffer greater wear.

Even if Jet2 has selected the P&W engines, they may still have followed the same policy, although I believe those engines are slightly more powerful than the Leap 1A.

Have I got this right?

Yes!

 

[Finger66]

So what age are Jet2s youngest 738s? Something like 7 to 8 years old - is that correct? That could comfortably mean at least a further 15 years of 738 ops for LBA. That is a **** of a long time in aviation terms and who knows where developments on all levels may be in that time. Perhaps time to put the LBA A21N conversation to bed for now and continue to celebrate the big programs Jet2 continue to have along with the long awaited (and required) phased retirement of the B733s. Let's just see what the future holds

 

[BCFC]

The have a fleet of fairly new 738’s of which some will be at LBA for the next 25 years. End of conversation on this matter.

 

[ls27]

But aren't some 738 as old of and maybe older that some of the 733s

 

[Finger66]

Yes and they will be replaced by A21Ns at other airports. It looks fairly certain LBA has B738s for some years yet so it was more about that. Think JZDH which was a 2nd hand Pegasus aircraft is also under 10 years old so plenty of life in the 738s for years to come

 

[BCFC]

Yes and they will be replaced by A21Ns at other airports. It looks fairly certain LBA has B738s for some years yet so it was more about that. Think JZDH which was a 2nd hand Pegasus aircraft is also under 10 years old so plenty of life in the 738s for years to come

And we get everyone’s castoffs, reminds me of being a kid again on Canterbury Ave in Bradford.

 

[Finger66]

And just like being a BCFC fan. Full of cast off crocks!

 

[LBA4EVER]

We must not forget there is another airport jet2 operate into that has a shorter runway than LBA with performance issues. BRS!

 

[LeedsPilot]

We must not forget there is another airport jet2 operate into that has a shorter runway than LBA with performance issues. BRS!

The actual takeoff and landing distances available are longer there due to the displaced thresholds at LBA. Plus there are no terrain-related climb gradient limitations for departure unlike RW32 at Leeds. Plus RW27 faces pretty well into the prevailing wind which helps greatly, unlike Leeds. It's never as simple as just looking at the length of the paved surface, wind and terrain make a massive difference.

 

[Seasider]

Didn't they buy 20+ B738 brand new from Boeing so they could easily be around in 25 years - unlike me!

 

[White Heather]

Didn't they buy 20+ B738 brand new from Boeing so they could easily be around in 25 years - unlike me!

At least. A few more I think. Two batches of new ones.with the JZ** registrations and new style interiors.

 

[LBA4EVER]

The actual takeoff and landing distances available are longer there due to the displaced thresholds at LBA. Plus there are no terrain-related climb gradient limitations for departure unlike RW32 at Leeds. Plus RW27 faces pretty well into the prevailing wind which helps greatly, unlike Leeds. It's never as simple as just looking at the length of the paved surface, wind and terrain make a massive difference.

Of course you cant just base it on runway length, there are many other factors i agree. Do you happen to know the takeoff and landing distances that are avai at both LBA and BRS? Cant imagine there is much difference with LBAs runway a little longer, also is the chevin that much of an issue when departing R32 at lba?
If jet2 are purchasing relatively new b737s then we could easily see a jet2 b737 only base for a decade or more!

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Of course you cant just base it on runway length, there are many other factors i agree. Do you happen to know the takeoff and landing distances that are avai at both LBA and BRS? Cant imagine there is much difference with LBAs runway a little longer, also is the chevin that much of an issue when departing R32 at lba?
If jet2 are purchasing relatively new b737s then we could easily see a jet2 b737 only base for a decade or more!

Makes you wonder how they manage at Skiathos, short runway and high temperatures.

 

[White Heather]

Makes you wonder how they manage at Skiathos, short runway and high temperatures.

At Corfu there's high temperatures, a road, a town and very high ground at one end of the runway and the sea and high cliffs at the other. LBA looks easy compared to some airports.