JetBlue retires Embraer 190 after two decades of service

Boston was chosen as the last destination for Flight 190, which included several JetBlue executives and staff members. Captain Warren Christie, JetBlue's chief operating officer, piloted the final journey as his own last commercial flight. "A really special flight," Christie said.

Passengers noted reminders of why JetBlue is moving on from this aircraft model—including outdated entertainment systems, aging seats, nonfunctional Wi-Fi during the last flight, and small overhead bins that required many gate checks.

After landing in Boston following a short half-hour flight, passengers and staff were invited to sign the fuselage of the retired jet. Nearby at Logan Airport stood an Airbus A220—JetBlue's newer and more fuel-efficient replacement for the E190.

"It is such a better customer experience than the 190," said JetBlue President Marty St. George about the A220 at Logan on Tuesday. "Not that the 190 was bad. We went from good to really, really, really good. So it's only going to be better for our customers."

JetBlue plans to continue using larger Airbus A320 and A321 planes alongside its new A220s. Some aircraft will soon be upgraded with new domestic first-class recliners starting in 2026.

The retired E190 will be sent to Arizona on Wednesday.