NEW YORK— On July 15, 2025, JetBlue Airways (B6) Flight JBU637, operating an Airbus A321, declared an emergency shortly after departing from New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) en route to Santiago Cibao International Airport (STI) in the Dominican Republic.
The crew reported an engine number two stall during initial climb and promptly returned to JFK after following emergency protocols. The aircraft landed safely on runway 31L without requiring external assistance.
Photo: Clément AlloingJetBlue Flight Returns to New York
JetBlue Airways Flight B6637 departed JFK at 8:23 PM local time, bound for Santiago. As the Airbus A321 ascended past 6,000 feet, the flight crew notified New York Center of an engine number two stall.
The pilot declared an emergency, requested to level off at 7,000 feet, and initiated a return to JFK.
Communication transcripts revealed the crew’s composed coordination with air traffic control. They requested vectors for the RNAV approach to runway 31L and asked for a holding pattern to complete checklist procedures before the approach.
Emergency services were pre-alerted and positioned near the runway as a precaution.
The flight was operated by an Airbus A321, registered as N999JQ. Further, it is a 6.7-year-old aircraft powered by two IAE V2500 engines
Photo: Caden HendersonATC and Pilot Comms
Here’ the actual transcript of the conversation between New York JFK ATC and JetBlue B6 637 pilot, as flagged by You can see ATC:
{ts:19}
Pilot: “Departure, JetBlue 637 at one, climbing 5,000.”
ATC: “JetBlue 637, New York Departure, radar contact, climb maintain 12,000.”
Pilot: “Climb maintain 12,000, JetBlue 637.”
ATC: “JetBlue 637, turn left heading 130.”
Pilot: “Left heading 130, JetBlue 637.”
ATC: “JetBlue 637, direct SHIPP.”
Pilot: “Direct SHIPP, JetBlue 637.”
{ts:51}
ATC: “JetBlue 637, contact New York Center 128.3.”
Pilot: “28.3, JetBlue 637. Out of 6,000 climbing 12,000, actually—”
Pilot: “Just declare an emergency, level off, can we get 7,000, need to go back to JFK, had an engine two stall.”
{ts:79}
ATC: “Maintain 7,000 and left, direct Kennedy.”
Pilot: “7,000, direct Kennedy, JetBlue 637.”
ATC: “Descend and maintain 4,000.”
{ts:87}
Pilot: “JetBlue 637, out of 6.8 for 4,000, direct Kennedy.”
ATC: “Thank you, coming 36 for the ILS 22L.”
Pilot: “Alright, 36 for the ILS 22L, JetBlue 637.”
{ts:114}
ATC: “JetBlue 637, state nature of emergency.”
Pilot: “Say again for JetBlue 637?”
ATC: “JetBlue 637, state nature of emergency.”
Pilot: “On board we have 191 people, and fuel on board is 35.6. We had an engine with two stalls. The engine is running at this point. We’ll need just some delay vectors to get some work done up here.”
ATC: “Roger, you can expect that.”
{ts:160}
ATC: “257, JetBlue 637, good day.”
Pilot: “JetBlue 637, New York, turning right… 4,000.”
ATC: “New York, turn right heading 130.”
Pilot: “Right turn, 130, JetBlue 637.”
{ts:193}
Pilot: “We’ll need about 10 minutes, and then we can head in.”
ATC: “No problem.”
{ts:202}
ATC: “JetBlue 637, turn right heading 020.”
Pilot: “Right turn, 020, JetBlue 637.”
ATC: “JetBlue 637, turn left heading 030.”
Pilot: “Left turn, 030, JetBlue 637.”
{ts:217}
Pilot: “New York, JetBlue 637, yes sir, request 31 Left when we make the turn back.”
ATC: “Ok, just stand by, they’re going to have to sweep it for you, and then we’ll get you set up.”
ATC: “Expect RNAV Yankee Runway 31 Left.”
Pilot: “RNAV Yankee 31 Left, thank you, JetBlue 637.”
{ts:259}
ATC: “JetBlue 637, are you ready, sir?”
Pilot: “Need about just about five more minutes here.”
ATC: “You got it. JetBlue 637, turn left 220.”
Pilot: “Left turn 220, JetBlue 637.”
{ts:277}
ATC: “JetBlue 637, contact Final Approach 132.4.”
Pilot: “132.4, JetBlue 637.”
ATC: “JetBlue 637, turn right heading 270.”
Pilot: “Right turn 270, JetBlue 637.”
{ts:293}
ATC: “JetBlue 637, reduce speed to 180.”
Pilot: “Slow to 180, JetBlue 637.”
ATC: “When speed’s back, descend and maintain 2,000.”
Pilot: “Once we’re slowed back down to 2,000, JetBlue 637.”
{ts:324}
ATC: “JetBlue 637, seven miles from CU, turn right heading 290, maintain 2,000 until established on approach course, cleared RNAV GPS Runway 31 Left approach.”
Pilot: “Right turn 290, 2,000 established, cleared RNAV Yankee 31 Left, JetBlue 637.”
{ts:341}
ATC: “JetBlue 637, contact Kennedy Tower 123.9.”
Pilot: “Got it, 123.9, JetBlue 637.”
{ts:348}
Pilot: “Kennedy Tower, JetBlue 637, RNAV Yankee 31 Left.”
Tower: “637, Kennedy Tower, wind 200 at 10, altimeter 30.06. Be advised, emergency equipment is standing by. Runway 31 Left.”
{ts:367}
Tower: “637, exit right when able. Do you require any assistance?”
Pilot: “Make a right turn and no assistance required, JetBlue 637.”
Tower: “Copy, will be a right on Papa, hold short of November.”
Pilot: “Right turn Papa, hold short November, JetBlue 637.”
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