Tag Archives: JetBlue

JetBlue announces two more routes from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood

JetBlue Airways (New York) has announced two new nonstop routes from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to Cartagena, Colombia (CTG) and Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS). Both flights will begin on October 29, 2014, the same day the airline will also launch its new nonstop service to Pittsburgh.

These three upcoming routes are in addition to the six international routes already launched within the last year from JetBlue’s South Florida focus city. New international destinations include San Jose, Costa Rica; Lima, Peru; Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-232 N510JB (msn 1280) approaches the runway at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in the old Dots tail design and smaller aircraft titles.

JetBlue Airways:

JetBlue Airways’ pilots select ALPA to represent them

JetBlue Airways Corporation (New York) today issued the following statement from CEO Dave Barger responding to the unionization vote among JetBlue’s 2,529 pilots, in which a majority of JetBlue pilots who cast a vote elected ALPA as their representative.

The National Mediation Board will authorize ALPA as the representative body for JetBlue pilots, and then both JetBlue and ALPA will organize negotiating committees.

Read the analysis by Bloomberg Businessweek: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 190-100 IGW N318JB (msn 19000364) prepares to land at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT).

JetBlue Airways:

JetBlue Airways to drop five routes in order to redeploy aircraft on new routes to Washington’s Reagan National Airport

JetBlue Airways (New York) as we previously reported, was awarded a package of 12 more slot pairs at the slot-controlled Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

As a result, JetBlue is forced to move aircraft from underperforming routes to these new DCA routes. This will be accomplished by ending service in the following markets:

West Palm Beach – San Juan: last flight both directions is June 16

San Francisco – Austin: last flight is June 15, Austin – San Francisco: last flight is June 16

Oakland – Washington (Dulles): last flight is June 15, Washington (Dulles) – Oakland: last flight is June 16

Long Beach – Washington (Dulles): last flight is September 1, Washington (Dulles) – Long Beach: last flight is Sept. 2

Buffalo – Fort Myers: this seasonal market will not resume in November

Customers with reservations for these affected flights after the last operating date will be contacted with the option to be reaccommodated on other JetBlue flights or to cancel their reservation and receive a full refund.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-232 N537JT (msn 1785) lands at Washington’s Reagan National Airport (DCA).

JetBlue Airways:

JetBlue endorses the DOJ settlement, adds two new destinations in the Caribbean

JetBlue Airways Corporation (JetBlue Airways) (New York) has released the following statement from CEO and President Dave Barger in regards to the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) proposed settlement, that would permit American Airlines and US Airways to proceed with their merger plans:

“On behalf of the 15,000 crewmembers of JetBlue Airways, New York’s Hometown Airline™, I applaud the Department of Justice’s pro-consumer proposed settlement and we look forward to participating in the divestiture process. JetBlue is eager to increase our low fare service in communities across the country and particularly at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and New York’s LaGuardia Airport.”

In other news, JetBlue has announced its expanded winter schedule in the Caribbean, featuring more flights than ever before. With the planned launch of service to two new island destinations, JetBlue will serve the Caribbean region this winter with an average of 200 daily flights.

In addition to its own network growth, JetBlue also announces the signing of two new interline agreements in the Caribbean, with LIAT and Seaborne Airlines, and a growth of its existing partnership with Cape Air. This expands the single-ticket options for JetBlue customers into a number of additional Caribbean destinations.

Two new cities and five new routes planned

JetBlue has announced five new Caribbean routes that will launch in the coming months, including service to two new destinations: Port-au-Prince, Haiti and Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (a). New routes include:

Chicago (ORD) – San Juan, Puerto Rico (starts Nov. 20)
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood – Port-au-Prince, Haiti (starts Dec. 5) (a)
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood – Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (starts May 1) (a)
New York (JFK) – Port-au-Prince, Haiti (starts Dec. 5) (a)
New York (JFK) – Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (starts Feb. 24) (a)

Five destinations to see added capacity with larger aircraft

JetBlue plans to meet peak winter demand this winter by deploying its brand new Airbus A321 aircraft to a variety of Caribbean destinations. The A321 is outfitted with 190 seats, featuring the most legroom in coach (b), and boosting the number of seats per departure by 40 compared to JetBlue’s current 150-seat A320 aircraft. The following destinations will see select flights to/from New York (JFK) operated by the larger A321:

Bridgetown, Barbados
Nassau, Bahamas
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Santiago, Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Additionally, JetBlue will offer even more frequencies between New York (JFK) and Barbados during peak holiday times, including President’s Day and Easter.

JetBlue’s A321s will be operating fresh from the factory and will not yet have in-flight television, radio or movies.

More destinations with new and expanded interline partnerships

JetBlue has added two new interline agreements, with LIAT and Seaborne Airlines, and expanded its existing partnership with Cape Air, bringing a number of new Caribbean destinations within reach for JetBlue customers.

LIAT now offers JetBlue customers connections to several new destinations including Antigua, Grenada, St. Kitts, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, when transferring at Barbados and St. Maarten. Founded in 1956, LIAT is one of the largest and most experienced carriers in the Caribbean region. Tickets are now available for sale through travel agencies.

Seaborne Airlines also opens up several new destinations for JetBlue customers, including St. Kitts, Dominica, and Guadeloupe and Martinique in the French Caribbean, all via San Juan, as well as connections to La Romana, Dominican Republic on a daily basis. In addition, Seaborne will offer more flight options for customers connecting at San Juan to/from both the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. Seaborne’s regional network includes 11 destinations from San Juan and a total of 625 weekly departures. JetBlue-Seaborne itineraries are now available for sale through travel agencies.

JetBlue’s longstanding partnership with Cape Air also expands this winter, with new destinations available via San Juan: Culebra, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. With service to these two unspoiled island destinations, which is expected to kick off in early 2014, Cape Air will serve a total of nine destinations from San Juan including options like Anguilla and Nevis.

Copyright Photo: Ken Petersen/AirlinersGallery.com. The new JetBlue Airways Airbus A320-232 N615JB (msn 2461) in the special FDNY – Fire Department New York taxies past the camera at the JFK hub.

JetBlue Airways:

JetBlue begins operations at Worcester

JetBlue Airways (New York) yesterday (November 7) began flying from the Worcester Regional Airport to Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood and Orlando, as the airline continues to grow its foothold in New England. JetBlue now offers 256 daily flights in and out of New England and is the exclusive commercial airline to operate at the Central Massachusetts facility.

JetBlue’s schedule between Worcester (ORH) and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood (FLL) effective November 7, 2013:


ORH to FLL:		FLL to ORH:
Depart – Arrive		Depart – Arrive
4:25 p.m. – 7:39 p.m.		7:32 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

JetBlue’s schedule between Worcester (ORH) and Orlando (MCO) effective November 7, 2013*:


ORH to MCO:		MCO to ORH:
Depart – Arrive		Depart – Arrive
7:30 a.m. – 10:33 a.m.		1:00 p.m. – 3:38 p.m.

*= First flight from Orlando to Worcester is scheduled for November 7, 2013. First flight from Worcester to Orlando is scheduled for November 8.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 190-100 IGW N353JB (msn 19000576) (Barcode) banks on its final approach into Reagan National Airport in Washington.

JetBlue Airways:

JetBlue becomes the first U.S. airline to implement personal electronic devices from gate to gate

JetBlue Airways (New York) received approval for gate-to-gate personal electronic device (PED) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at 4:15 p.m. ET on November 1, and implemented the policy immediately. The very first commercial flight of any U.S. airline to allow gate-to-gate PED use was JetBlue’s flight 2302 from New York’s JFK to Buffalo, scheduled departure time 4:30 p.m. All JetBlue customers were immediately allowed to start using personal electronic devices (PEDs) during all phases of flight, on all flights.

Prior to the new policy, customers had to turn off and stow all electronic devices during taxi, takeoff, landing and when the aircraft was below 10,000 feet. The new policy allows JetBlue customers to use smart phones, tablets, games and other smaller electronic devices at any time during taxi, takeoff and during flight, unless otherwise instructed by a crew member. Laptops must be stowed for taxi, takeoff and landing.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. JetBlue Airways Airbus A320-232 N586JB (msn 2160) in the special “I Love NY” scheme arrives at Washington (Reagan National).

Have you see the “new look” AirlinersGallery.com photo library website?

JetBlue Airways:

JetBlue adjusts its fleet plans to larger planes, reports a 3Q net profit of $71 million

JetBlue Airways Corporation (JetBlue Airways) (New York) today announced plans to optimize its fleet, including:

Deferral of 24 Embraer ERJ 190 aircraft from 2014-2018 to 2020-2022, reducing capital expenditures over the near term.
Conversion of 18 Airbus A320 positions to A321s, better matching capacity with growing network demand in key markets while reducing unit costs.
An incremental order for 15 A321ceo and 20 A321neo aircraft, providing increased fleet flexibility and offering up to 15 percent in fuel burn savings.
Sharklet retrofit of up to 110 Airbus A320s in current fleet beginning in 2015.

“We believe these fleet changes will provide increased ability to match capacity and demand throughout our network and reduce costs, leading to improved shareholder returns over the long term,” said JetBlue President and CEO Dave Barger.

As a result of the fleet adjustments noted above, JetBlue will optimize its Embraer ERJ 190 fleet to approximately 60 aircraft in the near term.

“While the E190 is critical to our continued success in Boston and San Juan, we are now at the point where our network growth calls for larger gauge aircraft,” Mr. Barger said. “In addition to allowing us to more cost-effectively serve certain high density markets, we believe our fleet restructuring plan will allow us to accelerate attractive growth opportunities at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport.”

JetBlue has converted 18 A320s to A321s. The A321 is expected to have unit costs 10 to 15 percent lower than those of the A320 aircraft it will replace, driven in part by a 10 to 15 percent improvement in fuel consumption per seat. “With significant savings from increased fuel efficiency and better utilization of our airport slot portfolio in key markets, we believe these A321 aircraft will improve our company’s profitability,” Mr. Barger said.

The fleet changes announced today will enable JetBlue to add 15 incremental A321ceo aircraft to its fleet by 2017, while deferring 24 E190 aircraft. “With today’s announcement, we are reducing our capital commitments through the next three years, which is consistent with our free cash flow and return on invested capital goals,” said JetBlue Chief Financial Officer Mark Powers.

In addition, JetBlue has placed an order for 20 A321neo aircraft for delivery beginning in 2018. Fuel savings associated with the new engine option A320 family is forecast to be approximately 12 to 15 percent compared to the current engine option A320 family.

JetBlue expects to retrofit up to 110 Airbus A320s in its existing fleet with sharklets beginning in 2015. Sharklets are expected to reduce fuel consumption by up to three percent.

Estimated Aircraft Delivery Schedule (2013-2022):

	4Q13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22
A320ceo (former order)	–	–	–	3	8	–	–	–	–	–
A320ceo (current order)	–	–	–	3	–	–	–	–	–	–
A320ceo change	–	–	–	–	(8)	–	–	–	–	–

A320neo (former order)	–	–	–	–	–	10	10	10	10	–
A320neo (current order)	–	–	–	–	–	5	–	9	16	–
A320neo change	–	–	–	–	–	(5)	(10)	(1)	6	–

A321ceo (former order)	4	9	10	7	–	–	–	–	–	–
A321ceo (cur order)*	4	9	12	12	15	1	–	–	–	–
A321ceo change	–	–	2	5	15	1	–	–	–	–

A321neo (former order)	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
A321neo (cur order)**	–	–	–	–	–	9	15	6	–	–
A321neo change	–	–	–	–	–	9	15	6	–	–

E190 (former order)	1	1	7	8	5	3	–	–	–	–
E190 (current order)	1	–	–	–	–	–	–	10	7	7
E190 change	–	(1)	(7)	(8)	(5)	(3)	–	10	7	7

Total fleet change	–	(1)	(5)	(3)	2	2	5	15	13	7

* JetBlue converted 8 A320ceo positions to A321ceo positions including 7 in 2017 and 1 in 2018
** JetBlue converted 10 A320neo positions to A321neo positions including 5 in 2018 and 5 in 2019

On the financial side, the company issued this report:

JetBlue Airways Corporation today reported its results for the third quarter 2013:

Operating income for the quarter was $152 million, resulting in a 10.5% operating margin. This compares to operating income of $113 million and an 8.6% operating margin in the third quarter of 2012.
Pre-tax income for the quarter was $119 million. This compares to pre-tax income of $73 million in the third quarter of 2012.
Net income for the third quarter was $71 million, or $0.21 per diluted share. This compares to JetBlue’s third quarter 2012 net income of $45 million, or $0.14 per diluted share.

“We are pleased to report our highest ever quarterly earnings and our fourteenth consecutive quarter of profitability,” said Dave Barger, JetBlue’s CEO. “These results reflect the success of our network strategy in high value geography and our focus on offering customers a differentiated product while maintaining competitive costs. I would like to thank our 15,000 crewmembers for their hard work and continued dedication to serving our 30 million customers.”

Operational Performance

JetBlue reported record third quarter operating revenues of $1.4 billion. Revenue passenger miles for the third quarter increased 5.4% to 9.56 billion on a capacity increase of 5.1%, resulting in a third quarter load factor of 85.0%, an increase of 0.2 points year over year.

Yield per passenger mile in the third quarter was 13.83 cents, up 5.1% compared to the third quarter of 2012. Passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) for the third quarter 2013 increased 5.4% year over year to 11.75 cents and operating revenue per available seat mile (RASM) increased 5.0% year over year to 12.82 cents.

“Our record revenue results demonstrate the strength of our network in our hometown of New York and throughout the rest of our core network,” said Robin Hayes, JetBlue’s Chief Commercial Officer. “We are also very pleased with the success of our focused growth strategy in Boston, Fort Lauderdale and the Caribbean & Latin America. The combination of our strong brand and unique JetBlue Experience once again allowed JetBlue to generate a revenue premium versus our competitors in many of our key markets.”

Operating expenses for the quarter increased 8.1%, or $95 million, over the prior year period. JetBlue’s operating expense per available seat mile (CASM) for the third quarter increased 2.8% year over year to 11.47 cents. Excluding fuel and profit sharing, CASM increased 4.9% to 6.95 cents.

Fuel Expense and Hedging

JetBlue continued to hedge fuel to manage price volatility. During the third quarter JetBlue hedged approximately 29% of its fuel consumption and managed approximately 14% of its fuel consumption using fixed forward price agreements (FFPs), resulting in a realized fuel price of $3.14 per gallon, a 1.1% decrease over third quarter 2012 realized fuel price of $3.17. JetBlue recorded $3 million in losses on fuel hedges that settled during the third quarter.

JetBlue has managed approximately 39% of its fourth quarter projected fuel requirements using a combination of FFPs, collars, swaps and call options. Based on the fuel curve as of October 24th, JetBlue expects an average price per gallon of fuel, including the impact of hedges, FFPs and fuel taxes, of $3.03 in the fourth quarter.

Balance Sheet Update

JetBlue ended the third quarter with approximately $954 million in unrestricted cash and short term investments. In addition, JetBlue maintains a $200 million line of credit and a revolving credit facility for up to $350 million.

“We remain focused on strengthening the balance sheet,” said Mark Powers, JetBlue’s Chief Financial Officer. “We believe strong cash from operations will allow us to continue to grow sustainably as we increase our asset base and continue paying down debt, enhancing long term shareholder value.”

Fourth Quarter and Full Year Outlook

For the fourth quarter of 2013, CASM is expected to be between negative 1.0% and positive 1.0% compared to the year-ago period. Excluding fuel and profit sharing, CASM in the fourth quarter is expected to be between negative 0.5% and positive 1.5% year over year.

CASM for the full year is expected to increase between 1.0% and 3.0% over full year 2012. Excluding fuel and profit sharing, CASM in 2013 is expected to increase between 2.5% and 4.5% year over year.

Capacity is expected to increase between 7.0% and 9.0% in the fourth quarter and to increase between 5.5% and 7.5% for the full year.

Copyright Photo: Stephen Tornblom/AirlinersGallery.com. JetBlue is now capping its Embraer ERJ 190 at around 60 aircraft. ERJ 190-100 IGW N203JB (man 19000023) in the Bubbles tail motif climbs away from the runway at the New York (JFK) hub.

JetBlue Airways:

JetBlue to add Detroit and Detroit-Boston service

JetBlue Airways (New York) has announced that Detroit will become its 85^th destination in the Americas, with new nonstop flights to Boston Logan Airport beginning on March 10, 2014. Detroit becomes JetBlue’s 51^st nonstop destination from Boston and the newest business market served.

JetBlue will serve the Boston-Detroit route three times daily, operated with its 100-seat Embraer 190 aircraft.

JetBlue’s schedule between Boston (BOS) and Detroit (DTW):

BOS to DTW:	DTW to BOS:
Depart – Arrive	Depart – Arrive
7:30 a.m. – 9:49 a.m. 4:00 p.m. – 6:17 p.m. 7:35 p.m. – 9:52 p.m.	6:30 a.m. – 8:16 a.m. 10:30 a.m. – 12:16 p.m. 6:55 p.m. – 8:43 p.m.

– First flight operates daily beginning March 10, 2014 –

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 190-100 IGW N306JB (msn 19000272) in the Harlequin tail design banks on the final “River Approach” at Washington’s Reagan National Airport.

JetBlue Airways:

JetBlue reports second quarter net income of $36 million

JetBlue Airways Corporation (JetBlue Airways) (New York) today reported its results for the second quarter 2013:

Operating income for the quarter was $102 million, resulting in a 7.6% operating margin, compared to operating income of $130 million and a 10.2% operating margin in the second quarter of 2012.
Pre-tax income of $60 million in the second quarter. This compares to pre-tax income of $86 million in the second quarter of 2012.
Net income for the second quarter was $36 million, or $0.11 per diluted share. This compares to JetBlue’s second quarter 2012 net income of $52 million, or $0.16 per diluted share.

“Today, we reported our thirteenth consecutive quarter of profitability,” said Dave Barger, JetBlue’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Although second quarter results were negatively impacted by a sluggish economic environment and continued maintenance cost pressures, our crewmembers remained focused on running a safe, reliable airline and delivering excellent service to our customers. We believe we are well positioned to expand margins in the second half of the year as we expect maintenance cost pressures to lessen and unit revenue performance to improve.”

Operational Performance

JetBlue reported record second quarter operating revenues of $1.3 billion. Revenue passenger miles for the second quarter increased 7.3% to 9.12 billion on a capacity increase of 7.8%, resulting in a second quarter load factor of 84.9%, a decrease of 0.4 points year over year.

Yield per passenger mile in the second quarter was 13.40 cents, down 2.8% compared to the second quarter of 2012. Passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) for the second quarter 2013 decreased 3.3% year over year to 11.37 cents and operating revenue per available seat mile (RASM) decreased 3.1% year over year to 12.42 cents. The calendar shift of the Easter and Passover holidays in March this year compared to April last year negatively impacted second quarter year over year PRASM by approximately two points.

“While we are disappointed to report a decline in year over year unit revenue performance during the quarter, we are encouraged by recent revenue trends and the success of our initiatives to attract and retain high-value customers,” said Robin Hayes, JetBlue’s Chief Commercial Officer.

Operating expenses for the quarter increased 7.5%, or $86 million, over the prior year period. JetBlue’s operating expense per available seat mile (CASM) for the second quarter decreased 0.3% year over year to 11.48 cents. Excluding fuel and profit sharing, CASM increased 3.3% to 7.15 cents.

Fuel Expense and Hedging

JetBlue continued to hedge fuel to manage price volatility. During the second quarter JetBlue hedged approximately 17% of its fuel consumption and managed approximately 21% of its fuel consumption using fixed forward price agreements (FFPs), resulting in a realized fuel price of $3.06 per gallon, a 4.8% decrease over second quarter 2012 realized fuel price of $3.22. JetBlue recorded $4 million in losses on fuel hedges that settled during the second quarter. In addition, JetBlue recorded $2 million in non-cash fuel hedging ineffectiveness losses during the quarter, which is included in non-operating income/expense.

JetBlue has managed approximately 44% of its third quarter projected fuel requirements using a combination of FFPs, collars, swaps and call options. Based on the fuel curve as of July 26th, JetBlue expects an average price per gallon of fuel, including the impact of hedges, FFPs and fuel taxes, of $3.10 in the third quarter.

Balance Sheet Update

JetBlue ended the second quarter with approximately $867 million in unrestricted cash and short term investments. In addition, JetBlue maintains a $200 million line of credit and a revolving credit facility for up to $350 million.

“We continue to maintain a strong balance sheet with healthy liquidity,” said Mark Powers, JetBlue’s Chief Financial Officer. “We expect to continue to use cash from operations to reduce debt, which we believe will help us achieve our return on invested capital goals and generate long-term returns for our shareholders.”

Third Quarter and Full Year Outlook

For the third quarter of 2013, CASM is expected to increase between 1.0% and 3.0% compared to the year-ago period. Excluding fuel and profit sharing, CASM in the third quarter is expected to increase between 3.0% and 5.0% year over year. JetBlue expects roughly half of this year over year increase to be driven by maintenance expense.

CASM for the full year is expected to increase between 0.5% and 2.5% over full year 2012. Excluding fuel and profit sharing, CASM in 2013 is expected to increase between 2.5% and 4.5% year over year.

Capacity is expected to increase between 3.5% and 5.5% in the third quarter and to increase between 5.5% and 7.5% for the full year.

In other news, JetBlue Airways and South African Airways (SAA) today announced a bilateral codeshare agreement to connect the carriers’ networks via New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Washington’s Dulles International Airport (IAD). The agreement is pending U.S. DOT regulatory approval and subject to receipt of foreign government operating authority.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-232 N605JB (msn 2368) in the special Boston Red Sox color scheme prepares to depart from focus city Long Beach, CA.

JetBlue Airways:

JetBlue Airways starts Boston-Houston Hobby flights today

JetBlue Airways (New York) today launches two daily nonstop flights between Boston Logan International (BOS) and Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). HOU becomes the 49th destination from BOS.

JetBlue’s schedule between Boston and Houston:

Boston (BOS) to Houston (HOU):	Houston (HOU) to Boston (BOS):
Depart – Arrive	Depart – Arrive
7:00 a.m. – 9:57 a.m.	10:35 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
1:40 p.m. – 4:39 p.m.	5:20 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
– Flights operate daily effective July 25, 2013 – – All times local –

JetBlue operates more than 100 daily flights from Boston’s Logan International Airport to destinations across the United States, Caribbean and Mexico, serving approximately seven million customers at BOS annually. Flights to Houston will be operated on the airline’s 100-seat Embraer 190 aircraft.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 190-100 IGW N190JB (msn 19000011) in the Mosaic scheme arrives at Baltimore/Washington.

JetBlue Airways: