Category Archives: JetBlue Airways

JetBlue and Qatar Airways announce plans to expand existing global partnership

JetBlue Airways announced it intends to expand the depth and breadth of its existing partnership with Qatar Airways to offer customers even more benefits when booking travel to and from international destinations on the global partner airline. This will include more codesharing in additional markets in the coming months, enhanced benefits for JetBlue TrueBlue® and Qatar Airways’ Privilege Club loyalty members, expanded marketing opportunities and refinements to flight schedules to create new, convenient connections across both carriers.

Already, Qatar Airways is one of JetBlue’s top partners for connecting customers across the Americas to its global network, with traffic expected to grow further through new enhancements within the partnership. This new agreement will provide more options to travel between JetBlue’s 100+ destinations across North America and the Caribbean and Qatar Airways global network of 82 countries. JetBlue places its code on Qatar Airways flights in – or offers connections through – nine U.S. gateways.

In addition, the airlines plan to develop an integrated airside transfer option for customers connecting at New York-JFK, JetBlue’s largest focus city and Qatar Airways’ most served U.S. destination.

JetBlue customers currently enjoy travel options via Doha, Qatar’s Hamad International Airport (DOH) – named in 2021 as the Best Airport in the World – to more than 80 destinations in Africa, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and South Asia. At the same time, Qatar Airways customers also already benefit from access to more than 60 destinations across JetBlue’s network. The two airlines have partnered since 2011.

Customers also currently enjoy enhancements that link the carriers’ loyalty programs. TrueBlue and Privilege Club members benefit from the ability to accrue TrueBlue points or Privilege Club Avios. In the future, those benefits will expand with the ability to redeem points on either carrier’s flights.

American Airlines and JetBlue introduce enhanced perks for Loyalty Status members

American Airlines and JetBlue Airways are elevating the travel experience for their most loyal travelers, with new perks for AAdvantage® and TrueBlue Mosaic status members when traveling on either airline. It is the latest round of customer benefits made possible by the airlines’ innovative Northeast Alliance (NEA).

Starting today, when checking in for an American or JetBlue flight, AAdvantage status members and TrueBlue Mosaic members can choose complimentary Main Cabin Extra or Even More® Space seats when available. American’s Main Cabin Extra and JetBlue’s Even More Space amenities include extra legroom, early boarding and dedicated overhead bin space.

AAdvantage Executive Platinum and Platinum Pro members and TrueBlue Mosaic members are also eligible for same-day confirmed flight changes when traveling on either carrier.

These new customer benefits are in addition to the priority check-in, priority baggage, priority security and priority boarding benefits that were implemented last fall. AAdvantage status members receive up to two complimentary checked bags when traveling on JetBlue and TrueBlue Mosaic members can also now check two complimentary checked bags at American Airlines kiosks when arriving at the airport.

Also starting in April, Admirals Club members traveling on JetBlue will be able to access Admirals Club lounges, including the newly opened lounge space at LaGuardia Airport (LGA). American’s Admirals Club lounges are membership-based lounges that feature complimentary amenities like food and beverages, Wi-Fi, business centers, and kids’ rooms.

In summer 2022, the NEA will offer nearly 500 daily departures from New York’s three major airports and 200 daily departures from Boston. As part of the growth related to the NEA, American plans to launch new nonstop service between John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha, Qatar, in June, becoming the only U.S.-based carrier to serve the Middle East destination. Separately, JetBlue will launch its first-ever Canadian route with new nonstop service between JFK and Vancouver, Canada (YVR), in June.

JetBlue is now accepting applications for Pilot Gateway programs

JetBlue Airways today announced it is once again accepting applications for its pilot Gateways. With seven distinct education and training paths for pilots and aircraft maintenance technicians, JetBlue’s industry-leading Gateways offer anyone with the talent and dream of flying a range of pathways into the industry, opening the door for more people to discover and define their own career path in aviation. As the airline with the longest-running pathway programs, JetBlue is proud to continue its legacy, producing hundreds of new-hire pilots for the airline with 12% of last year’s new-hire pilots coming through one of the JetBlue Gateways.

“Whether you’ve never been in an aircraft flight deck or already have a few solo flights under your belt and are planning for your future as a commercial airline pilot, we know that there is no single route to a career in aviation, but we do believe there should be a path available for anyone with the aptitude and passion to pursue it. Our Gateways offer multiple paths for those who’ve dreamed but never had the opportunity to pursue these highly-skilled careers in aviation,” said Robin Hayes, chief executive officer, JetBlue. “Since 2008 our Gateway programs have been removing many barriers of entry that often ground talented individuals before their dreams can even take flight. We are proud of our ability to extend opportunities to broader audiences and can’t wait to welcome the next generation of aviation professionals to JetBlue.”

External candidates can choose between two pilot development Gateways offering distinct paths to a JetBlue first officer position:

Gateway Select – With Gateway Select, qualified applicants who exhibit the right skills and aptitude can secure a path to JetBlue first officer status, regardless of previous flight experience. Accepted candidates receive guidance and mentorship as they progress through extensive and hands-on education and training with JetBlue and its partners. With a conditional job offer at JetBlue, based on completion of the program, qualifications, and required flight hours, Gateway Select aims to remove the uncertainty that grounds many from pursuing this rewarding career. First announced in 2016, JetBlue’s ab initio Gateway Select program has already started to graduate highly skilled pilots, with more than 30 candidates from the program joining JetBlue as first officers in the last year.
For applications and information on JetBlue’s Gateway Select Program, visit jetbluegateways.com.

Gateway University – With 11 Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI)-accredited partner colleges and universities including the program’s first HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) and HSI (Hispanic-Serving Institutions) added in 2021, JetBlue’s Gateway University program is the longest-running US airline program offering enrolled students a direct path to first officer status at JetBlue via a prescribed-time and experience-building pathway. JetBlue University helps mentor and encourage accepted students through school and time-building experience with JetBlue partner airlines or other time-building options while also opening opportunities to a broader and more representative group of aviation professionals.
For applications and information on JetBlue’s Gateway University Program, visit jetbluegateways.com.

JetBlue continues its commitment to developing internal talent by offering current crewmembers both Direct and Flex options toward becoming a pilot or maintenance technician. JetBlue’s program flexibility allows every crewmember to tailor their own experience, further emphasizing the airline’s culture as crewmembers define and work towards career goals.

The following JetBlue Gateways for pilot development are open to current JetBlue crewmembers, immediate family of those crewmembers, and affiliated partners:

Gateway Direct – Flight Ops – Current crewmembers can depart their current position and pursue a prescribed college education accompanied with primary flight training at Aviator College. Upon graduation, crewmembers join Cape Air as a first officer, time build to ATP minimums, and then gain valuable flight experience as a Cape Air captain. The combined experience with Aviator College and Cape Air prepares pilots for a successful transition to JetBlue. Open to JetBlue crewmembers and Cape Air employees only.
For applications and information on JetBlue’s Direct-Flight Ops Program, visit jetbluegateways.com.

Gateway Flex – Flight Ops – Current crewmembers can depart their current position and pursue a flexible path to becoming a pilot—as well as choose their own location for training and time-building within a defined framework. Open to JetBlue crewmembers only.
For applications and information on JetBlue’s Flex-Flight Ops Program, visit jetbluegateways.com.

Gateway Family – New in 2022, immediate family of current JetBlue crewmembers can make a “Blue-line” to a first officer position through a defined education, training and time-building path. Open to family members of JetBlue crewmembers only.
For applications and information on JetBlue’s Family Program, visit jetbluegateways.com.

Since the introduction of the first Gateway University program in 2008, the airline’s Gateways have continued to expand, offering opportunities for candidates to find the path and careers goals that are right for them. With a particular focus on internal development, JetBlue announced new Gateways in 2021 expressly for current JetBlue crewmembers interested in becoming Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs), and for immediate family members of JetBlue crewmembers interested in becoming pilots. By making these Gateways available to crewmembers and their families, JetBlue looks to not only encourage the next generation of aviation professionals, but reaffirm the airline’s culture of caring and commitment to crewmember development with increased opportunities for its diverse workforce.

JetBlue onboards hundreds of pilots and maintenance technicians each year and remains an employer of choice for aspiring aviators. Its Gateway programs are just one recruiting pipeline for internal and external candidates. For more information on JetBlue’s Gateways programs visit jetbluegateways.com,

JetBlue today adds New York JFK – Puerto Vallarta service

JetBlue Airways today announced it has officially launched service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Puerto Vallarta’s Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR), with the first flight arriving in Puerto Vallarta this afternoon. Puerto Vallarta service will operate four times weekly, offering JetBlue customers an all-new destination and even more of the airline’s award-winning service and low fares.

Enabled by JetBlue’s Northeast Alliance (NEA), Puerto Vallarta service brings JetBlue to its third destination in Mexico and further expands the airline’s significant presence across Latin America and the Caribbean, while diversifying and advancing its New York focus city strategy. JetBlue continues to grow beyond the U.S. with over 30 international destinations in more than two dozen countries. JetBlue also becomes the only airline to serve Puerto Vallarta with nonstop service from New York-JFK and now offers more weekly flights between greater New York City and the Mexican Pacific coast destination than any other airline.

Schedule between New York (JFK) and Puerto Vallarta (PVR)
On Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays Beginning February 19, 2022

JFK – PVR Flight #2097	PVR – JFK Flight #2098
9:00 a.m. – 2:10 p.m.	3:26 p.m. – 9:31 p.m.

Puerto Vallarta service will operate with a mix of both the Airbus A321neo and A320 aircraft. All JetBlue aircraft offer the airline’s award-winning service featuring the most legroom in coach (a); free and fast Fly-Fi broadband internet (b); complimentary and unlimited name-brand snacks and soft drinks; and free, live DIRECTV® programming at every seat.

JetBlue adds 30 Airbus A220s to its order book, total now 100

JetBlue Airways today announced an agreement to exercise its option to add 30 additional Airbus A220-300 aircraft to its order book, bringing the total number of A220s in the airline’s fleet and on order to 100.

In 2018, JetBlue announced its initial order of 60 A220s and the option for 60 additional aircraft. JetBlue converted 10 of 60 options to firm orders in 2019, and the 30 A220s announced today will enable acceleration of the retirement of JetBlue’s Embraer E190 fleet.

Exceptional Fuel Efficiency & Economics

The A220 offers nearly 30 percent lower direct operating costs per seat compared to the fleet it is replacing, supporting the airline’s focus on keeping costs low. Additionally, the aircraft’s range and seating capacity will add flexibility to JetBlue’s network strategy as it targets growth in its focus cities, including options for transcontinental flying and opening the door to new markets and routes not feasible with the airline’s existing fleet.

The A220 is powered exclusively by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, which deliver double-digit improvements in fuel and carbon emissions. Optimizing fuel burn is an important first step in JetBlue’s sustainability strategy, and prioritizing fuel-efficient aircraft and engines aligns with JetBlue’s approach to reducing emissions. Earlier this year, JetBlue became the first major U.S. airline to achieve carbon neutrality for all domestic flights, and later announced its plans to achieve net zero carbon emissions across all operations by 2040.

Considerable Comfort

The A220’s spacious and comfortable cabin makes it the perfect fit for JetBlue, which has consistently led U.S. airlines in onboard experience.

The airline’s A220s are outfitted with 140 Collins Meridian seats, customized around customer feedback and featuring a number of design elements with comfort and convenience in mind. Seating is arranged in a two-by-three configuration offering multiple seating options for all party sizes and includes USB-C, USB-A and AC power at every seat. JetBlue – which offers the most legroom in coach^a – maximizes the A220’s ultra-modern design to create an elevated customer experience throughout the interior.

Keeping customers connected and entertained is also on display aboard JetBlue’s A220 with Thales AVANT and ViaSat-2 connectivity. With this system, JetBlue offers every customer high-definition screens at every seat and personalized entertainment choices. Additionally, JetBlue is the only U.S. carrier with free high-speed Fly-Fi^® on every plane, providing customers with the ability to connect an unlimited number of devices to stream, surf, or chat during the entire flight, from gate to gate. Fly-Fi^® connectivity is available in nearly every region that JetBlue flies^b.

Future of the Fleet

JetBlue’s first A220 aircraft arrived in December 2020 and the airline is on track to take delivery of its ninth A220 this month. Nine more are scheduled for delivery in 2022, followed by another 21 in 2023. Ultimately, these A220s will replace the airline’s E190s, with the last E190 exiting in 2026.

JetBlue’s initial order for 60 A220 aircraft was announced in July 2018.

Worst U.S. airline is JetBlue, not Spirit or Frontier according to the WSJ

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has issued it annual ranking of U.S. airlines with a surprise ranking. From CNBC:

“When it comes to low-cost airlines, American fliers usually praise JetBlue, and despise Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines.

But if you took to the sky in 2021, JetBlue might have let you down — with large numbers of brutal, hours-long delays and frustrating cancellations, according to a new study.

The Long Island City, New York-based airline recently dropped to the lowest spot on The Wall Street Journal’s annual ranking of U.S. airlines, falling behind both Spirit and Frontier. American Airlines almost incurred a similar fate, tying with Frontier for third-to-last.

Delta Air Lines claimed the top spot on the list, followed by Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines.”

Read the full article:

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/06/worst-us-airline-is-jetblue-not-spirit-or-frontier-wsj-ranking.html

Read the original article from the WSJ (subscription required):

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-best-and-worst-u-s-airlines-of-2021-11643374802

JetBlue Airways loses money in the fourth quarter

JetBlue Airways Corporation today reported its results for the fourth quarter of 2021:

Reported GAAP loss per share of ($0.40) in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.56 in the fourth quarter of 2019. Adjusted loss per share was ($0.36)⁽¹⁾ in the fourth quarter of 2021 versus adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.56⁽¹⁾ in the fourth quarter of 2019.

GAAP pre-tax loss of ($163) million in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to a pre-tax income of $220 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. Excluding one-time items, adjusted pre-tax loss of ($145) million⁽¹⁾ in the fourth quarter of 2021 versus adjusted pre-tax income of $221 million⁽¹⁾ in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Operational and Financial Highlights from the Fourth Quarter

Capacity declined by 5.4% year over two, in-line with our planning assumption of a 4% to 7% decline, year over two.

Revenue declined 9.7% year over two, compared to our planning assumption of an 8% to 13% decline year over two. This was within the range of our initial assumptions despite a late quarter impact from the Omicron wave, driven by strong holiday peaks.

Operating expenses per available seat mile increased 14.4% year over two. Operating expenses per available seat mile, excluding fuel and special items (CASM ex-fuel)⁽¹⁾ increased 16.3%⁽¹⁾ year over two. Consistent with the industry, our cost performance was impacted by incremental incentives and premium pay tied to the Omicron surge in case counts and the resulting operational impact, worth approximately two points of CASM ex-fuel in the quarter.

Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization and Special Items (Adjusted EBITDA) in the fourth quarter of 2021 was $31 million⁽¹⁾, towards the better end of our planning assumption range of ($50) to $50 million.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

As of December 31, 2021, JetBlue’s adjusted debt to capital ratio was 53%⁽¹⁾.

JetBlue ended the fourth quarter of 2021 with approximately $2.8 billion in unrestricted cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments, or 35% of 2019 revenue. This excludes our $550 million undrawn revolving credit facility.

JetBlue paid down approximately $100 million in regularly scheduled debt and finance lease obligations, and prepaid approximately $20 million in bank loans.

Fuel Expense and Hedging

The realized fuel price in the fourth quarter 2021 was $2.37 per gallon, a 14.2% increase versus fourth quarter 2019 realized fuel price of $2.07.

As of January 27, 2022, JetBlue has not entered into forward fuel derivative contracts to hedge its fuel consumption for the first quarter of 2022. Based on the forward curve as of January 14, 2022, JetBlue expects an average all-in price per gallon of fuel of $2.59 in the first quarter of 2022.

Northeast Alliance Expected to Deliver Competition and Customer Choice

Since the Northeast Alliance with American (NEA) was implemented in February 2021, JetBlue and American have collectively grown more quickly than the two largest competitors across New York and Boston. The airlines have launched the first phase of reciprocal loyalty benefits, are investing in a seamless travel experience and are now codesharing on 185 routes. Additionally, JetBlue will be fully operating out of LaGuardia’s (LGA) Terminal B when completed in summer 2022, providing easy connections for customers traveling on the Northeast Alliance.

JetBlue plans to launch two new BlueCities this summer – Asheville (AVL) and Vancouver (YVR). As part of our 2022 growth plans, JetBlue and American plan to offer up to 300 daily departures at JFK Airport, 195 of those operated by JetBlue – more flights than ever before. At LGA, JetBlue plans to operate approximately 50 of nearly 200 daily departures with American, more than tripling our 2019 flight count.

Paving a Path Towards Value Creation

“While Omicron has temporarily weighed on demand in the very near-term, we expect sequential month-on-month improvement through the quarter, ultimately returning to sustained profitability in the spring and beyond. Furthermore, were it not for Omicron, we believe we would have generated higher revenue this quarter than in the first quarter of 2019,” said Robin Hayes, JetBlue’s Chief Executive Officer.

“I firmly believe that 2022 will prove to be a transformational year for JetBlue’s structural profitability, as we look to restore our earnings power and create value for our stakeholders. And we plan to achieve this by pulling meaningful commercial levers, keeping our relentless focus on costs, and maintaining our measured approach to capital allocation.”

Revenue and Capacity

“The surge in case counts disproportionately impacted the Northeast, hitting New York particularly hard, driving increased Customer cancellations and bookings softness during the most significant revenue weeks of the quarter, and also led to some Crew-related cancellations. Despite all of these challenges, our underlying revenue performance was very strong, which keeps us optimistic about the future as we continue to ramp up hiring efforts towards a fully staffed operation,” said Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue’s President and Chief Operating Officer.

“For the first quarter of 2022, we expect revenue to decrease between 11% and 16% year over three. This sequential slowdown reflects the large negative impact from Omicron on Q1 demand. However, trends have largely stabilized and are improving across all geographies. As quickly as the Omicron variant swept through the Northeast, we are seeing cases rapidly decline and we expect sequential month-on-month improvement leading to a profitable Q2 and a very strong summer peak.

For the first quarter of 2022, we expect capacity to range between (1%) and 2% year over three. For the full-year 2022, we are planning to grow capacity between 11% and 15% versus 2019 as we bring aircraft utilization back towards pre-pandemic levels, while retaining flexibility. We expect the demand recovery to regain steam following the temporary setback tied to the Omicron variant. We’ll continue to be nimble and react to the environment.”

Financial Performance and Outlook

“We’re confident that we’re on a path to sequential pre-tax margin improvement with sustained profitability in the spring and beyond. We expect to achieve greater operating leverage as we grow revenue while continuing to improve our unit cost performance,” said Ursula Hurley, JetBlue’s Chief Financial Officer.

“For the first quarter of 2022, we estimate CASM ex-fuel⁽²⁾ will increase between 13% to 15% year over three. For the full-year 2022, we expect CASM ex-fuel⁽²⁾ to increase in the range of 1% to 5% versus 2019. We expect elevated unit costs in the first half, followed by a meaningful improvement in the second half of the year as we plan for our network, operation, and aircraft utilization to settle into a ‘new normal’ with optimal staffing levels, along with the ramp of our planned cost initiatives.

For the full-year, we have repaid a total of approximately $1.9 billion of debt. Our balance sheet continues to be among the strongest in the industry, and we’ll continue our balanced approach to capital allocation to drive shareholder value.”

Earnings Call Details

JetBlue will conduct a conference call to discuss its quarterly earnings today, January 27, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. A live broadcast of the conference call will also be available via the internet at http://investor.jetblue.com. The webcast replay and presentation materials will be archived on the company’s website.

For further details see the Fourth Quarter 2021 Earnings Presentation available via the internet at http://investor.jetblue.com.

About JetBlue

JetBlue is New York’s Hometown Airline®, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Los Angeles, Orlando and San Juan. JetBlue carries customers across the U.S., Caribbean and Latin America, and between New York and London. For more information, visit jetblue.com.

Notes

(1)

Non-GAAP financial measure; Note A provides a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures used in this release and explains the reasons management believes that presentation of these non-GAAP financial measure provides useful information to investors regarding JetBlue’s financial condition and results of operations.

(2)

With respect to JetBlue’s CASM ex-fuel guidance, JetBlue is unable to provide a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to GAAP because the excluded items have not yet occurred and cannot be reasonably predicted. The reconciling information that is unavailable would include a forward-looking range of financial performance measures beyond our control, such as fuel costs, which are subject to many economic and political factors. Accordingly, a reconciliation to CASM is not available without unreasonable effort.

Icelandair and JetBlue further expand their codeshare partnership

Icelandair has announced a further expansion of its codeshare with JetBlue Airways to offer customers more ways to book and connect their travel between the two airline’s networks across Europe and North America.

JetBlue’s current codes on Icelandair offer customers direct flights between New York, Newark and Boston and Iceland. In November 2021, the codeshare was expanded onwards to Amsterdam, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Oslo, Glasgow and Manchester. Now, the two companies have added the following destinations:

Frankfurt
Munich
Berlin
Hamburg
Paris
London Heathrow
London Gatwick
Dublin
Bergen

This expanded codeshare agreement builds upon JetBlue and Icelandair’s partnership that first began in 2011. Icelandair passengers already benefit from access to JetBlue’s network that spans 100+ destinations in more than two dozen countries. The further strengthening of the partnership will allow JetBlue customers to enjoy additional travel options via Iceland to a number of Icelandair’s destinations in Europe.

Customers traveling on connecting flights between Icelandair and JetBlue will enjoy both combined ticketing and baggage transfers. Additionally, when customers fly Icelandair across the Atlantic, they can stop over in Iceland at no additional cost, selecting a stopover duration of one to seven days to pack more experiences into their travel.

JetBlue and Icelandair customers enjoy benefits across loyalty programs. Since 2017, customers have had the opportunity to accrue loyalty points from both JetBlue’s TrueBlue program and Icelandair’s Saga Club, and soon will have the ability to redeem points on either carriers’ flights.

JetBlue cuts hundreds of flights through mid-January, expecting more omicron sick calls

JetBlue Airways will cancel about 1,280 flights from December 30, 2021 through January 13, 2022 due to anticipated sick calls of crews due to the spreading Omicron variant.

JetBlue extends London Heathrow schedule through October 2022

JetBlue Airways today announced it is extending its transatlantic schedule for flights between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and London Heathrow Airport (LHR) through October 2022.

JetBlue was initially welcomed at Heathrow with temporary slots made available as entrenched, larger airlines reduced service during the pandemic. Since its successful transatlantic launch in August 2021, JetBlue has worked with the local authorities to ensure it can continue to shake up the route with much-needed competition.

Before JetBlue launched the route, travelers were limited to expensive flights between JFK and Heathrow, especially in the premium travel segment. JetBlue has set out to do what it does best – offer better service than the incumbent carriers while stimulating competition with low fares. Since launching the route in August, JetBlue has reduced premium fares by up to 50%.