JetBlue will use non-LR Airbus A321neos from Boston to London Gatwick this winter, while Norse Atlantic – which has not even started Gatwick-Boston yet – has cut all winter flights. The route will now be summer seasonal. As previously reported, United Airlines is ending Boston-London Heathrow, which it relaunched in 2022 after 20 years. It was rumored that it perhaps somewhat reemerged because of JetBlue.

JetBlue to use non-LRs again 

JetBlue launched Boston-Gatwick in August 2022. It used 138-seat A321LRs, with 24 Mint seats, 24 Even More Space seats, and just 90 in Core. Last winter, it shifted to 160-seat A321neos. These have eight fewer Mint seats per departure, 18 additional Even More Seats, and 12 additional seats in Core.

While it reverted to the 138-seaters in summer 2023, the latest schedule upload shows it will also use 160-seat, non-LRs this winter. This takes effect on August 30th – almost a month earlier than last year.

To capitalize on higher demand and fares, the carrier's schedule indicates that the 138-seat configuration will be used between Christmas and the New Year before switching back. Evidently, Boston-Gatwick does not perform well enough to maintain the lower-density, higher-premium offering year-round.

This winter, JetBlue plans to operate daily from both JFK and Boston. Last winter, it had triple-daily flights. Because of this shortfall, JetBlue – which leases slots from Qatar Airways – has returned the unneeded slots. It remains to be seen if Qatar Airways adds another daily service or leases them out to a different operator.

Norse cuts winter flights 

Not beginning until September 2nd, thereby missing most of the peak summer, the airline's Gatwick-Boston route will operate five weekly. Due to lower winter demand and pricing, it had planned four weekly flights in the off-season.

However, it has completely pulled the route from its winter schedules. This is partly because of its belated focus on improving winter performance – crucial for long-term success – and presumably so that it has more aircraft available for its new winter routes.

Rather than operating year-round, it will now end on October 28th, less than two months after taking off. It is in the very unusual position of starting very late in summer and finishing quickly. It is expected to return on March 28th – but seemingly to operate daily. It is probably not worth beginning it so late in summer 2023.

United has cut Boston-Heathrow 

Having last served Boston-Heathrow in October 2002, United reintroduced it in April 2022. It is its only non-hub long-haul route, which raised questions about why it really started.

Slot acquisition was part of it; it obtained remedial slots from British Airways, with winter slots returned to the airline. Clearly, the route did not perform well enough for United to continue, which is unsurprising given the strength of oneworld and SkyTeam in the market.

Running daily from Boston until October 27th, it uses United's lowest-density Boeing 767-300ERs. These have 167 seats: 46 Polaris seats, 22 in Premium Plus, and just 99 in economy. It switches 767s in London, e.g., Washington Dulles-Heathrow-Boston-Heathrow-Newark.