US airlines face disruptions from Pratt & Whitney engine groundings

Besides Spirit Airlines, six other carriers and one private operator have also grounded several GTF-powered aircraft. JetBlue Airways has five Airbus A321neos and four Airbus A220-300s in storage, while Delta Air Lines has four Airbus A321neos and four Airbus A220-300s listed as stored. Other affected airlines include Frontier Airlines, United Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Breeze Airways.

FlightGlobal reports that although there is a slight decrease in the total number of commercial aircraft grounded due to Pratt & Whitney's recall of PW1000-series engines, around 30% of the fleet remains grounded.

The problems with PW1000G engines stem from a manufacturing defect involving contaminated powdered metal used in high-pressure turbine and compressor components. These issues have led to widespread inspections and repairs causing significant operational disruptions expected to continue through 2026.

Engines operating in harsh environments have experienced accelerated wear leading to more frequent maintenance needs. Pratt & Whitney's maintenance network is working to expand capacity to handle repair backlogs and reduce downtime for affected aircraft.

These challenges have financially strained airlines with some reporting profit drops due to grounded fleets. Recent strikes by Pratt & Whitney workers have further delayed production and repairs extending recovery timelines anticipated for coming years.