Travelore News: JetBlue Launches New Daily Service Between Fort Lauderdale And Cali, Colombia

JetBlue is continuing its rapid expansion across Latin America with the launch of a brand-new, daily nonstop service connecting Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Cali, Colombia (CLO). The highly anticipated route officially took flight on October 15, 2026, marking another significant milestone in the airline's strategy to dominate the South Florida to South America travel corridor.

Known globally as the "Salsa Capital of the World," Cali becomes JetBlue’s fourth active destination in Colombia, joining established routes to Cartagena and Medellín, as well as the newly launched service to Barranquilla. For Colombian travelers and South Florida locals alike, this new connection provides greater flexibility, competitive pricing, and seamless access to JetBlue's broader North American network.

The new daily flights are operated using JetBlue's reliable Airbus A320 aircraft. Flight 1535 departs Fort Lauderdale at 10:05 a.m. and touches down in Cali at 12:52 p.m. The northbound return flight, Flight 1540, pushes back from Cali at 2:10 p.m. and arrives back in Fort Lauderdale at 7:00 p.m. (all times local). Passengers on this route can expect the airline's signature Main cabin experience, complete with free high-speed Fly-Fi internet, live seatback television, and complimentary snacks and drinks.

This addition is part of a massive, record-setting growth phase for JetBlue at its Fort Lauderdale hub. According to the airline, it has added 12 nonstop destinations from FLL since December 2025 and increased its daily departures by more than 75% compared to the same period last year. During the upcoming peak winter travel season, JetBlue expects to operate over 150 daily departures out of Fort Lauderdale, cementing its position as the airport's leading carrier.

With Latin America and the Caribbean now accounting for roughly a third of JetBlue's total capacity, it's clear the airline sees immense value in connecting the U.S. to major cultural and commercial centers in Colombia. Whether you are traveling for business, visiting family, or heading south to experience Cali's legendary music and dancing, getting there has never been easier.

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JetBlue Is Bringing Its Exclusive New Lounge Concept To Fort Lauderdale

JetBlue is making it clear that South Florida is a primary focus for its future.

This is the BlueHouse lounge in JFK Airport's Terminal 5

Fresh off the successful rollout of its first-ever airport lounge at New York’s JFK and with a Boston location opening later this summer, the airline is zeroing in on its next major premium destination. JetBlue leadership has confirmed that the carrier is actively working to bring its exclusive BlueHouse lounge concept to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).

This move aligns perfectly with JetBlue’s broader network pivot, reallocating resources away from underperforming routes to double down on its lucrative Sunshine State strongholds. Here is everything we know about JetBlue's premium plans for Fort Lauderdale.

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The "Third Tentpole" of JetBlue’s Premium Strategy

JetBlue President Marty St. George recently emphasized that bringing a BlueHouse lounge to Fort Lauderdale makes "a lot of sense" given the massive volume of high-value travelers moving through the airport. Executives have frequently described FLL as the "third tentpole" of their entire domestic operation, alongside JFK and Boston Logan (BOS).

The airline is currently hunting for the perfect real estate to drop the new club. The lounge will be located inside Terminal 3, which serves as JetBlue's primary operational hub at FLL.

The Real Estate Challenge: Finding large, contiguous square footage inside an active, highly dense airport terminal can be tricky. JetBlue is working closely with Broward County aviation officials to lock down the ideal footprint, with both parties highly motivated to bring a premium club to the terminal.

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Why FLL is Getting the Premium Treatment

JetBlue’s push into the premium lounge market comes during a multi-year effort to stabilize earnings and maximize revenue per passenger. Airlines across the industry are learning that premium cabins, loyalty perks, and high-end ground experiences yield much healthier margins than competing solely on cheap base fares.

Fort Lauderdale is the perfect incubator for this strategy:

• Capturing the South Florida Market: While competitors focus heavily on Miami (MIA), JetBlue is the dominant player in Fort Lauderdale. With FLL projecting traffic growth toward 45 million annual passengers over the next decade, a dedicated lounge allows JetBlue to cement its local dominance.


• The Spirit Vacuum: Following the operational shakeups and capacity reductions from Spirit Airlines earlier this year, JetBlue rapidly expanded at FLL, adding nonstop service to over 20 new cities.


• More Mint in the Sunshine State: JetBlue is systematically moving its premium, lie-flat Mint business class aircraft to Fort Lauderdale, including launching highly anticipated transcontinental Mint routes to San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. A premium flight naturally demands a premium lounge to match.

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What to Expect Inside a BlueHouse Lounge

While the exact square footage and specific amenities for the Fort Lauderdale location are still being finalized, we can look at JetBlue's flagship 9,000-square-foot JFK lounge to see what is likely headed to FLL:

• Local Culinary Flavor: A heavy focus on regional, artisanal food and craft cocktails.


• Work & Relax Zones: Dedicated spaces ranging from cozy, quiet nooks for business travelers to vibrant social areas.


• Exclusive Aesthetic: JetBlue’s signature vibrant blue branding seamlessly blended with modern architectural design elements.

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How Will Travelers Gain Access?

JetBlue has established strict gatekeeping rules for its BlueHouse lounges to prevent overcrowding. Based on the current network rules, access to the upcoming FLL location will likely be limited to:

1. The JetBlue Premier Card: Holders of JetBlue’s premium World Elite Mastercard ($499 annual fee) receive complimentary access for themselves and one guest.


2. Top-Tier Elite Status: TrueBlue Mosaic 4 members will receive automatic entry.


3. Mint Passengers: Travelers flying on premium Mint tickets.


4. Day Passes: Depending on capacity, JetBlue offers day passes starting at $59 to $79 for lower-tier Mosaic members and select Mint passengers.

Note: JetBlue enforces a strict "no basic economy" rule. Passengers flying on a Blue Basic fare cannot access the lounge or purchase a day pass, regardless of credit card or elite status.

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The Bottom Line

While an official opening date hasn't been set yet, JetBlue's aggressive focus on Fort Lauderdale ensures that a premium lounge is a matter of "when," not "if." For South Florida loyalists and transcontinental premium flyers, Terminal 3 is about to get a major upgrade.

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Greater Fort Lauderdale's Culinary Scene Shines In The 2025 MICHELIN Guide Florida

Visit Lauderdale, the official destination marketing organization for Greater Fort Lauderdale, is excited to announce that, for the first time ever, five local restaurants have been included in the coveted 2025 MICHELIN Guide Florida. Known for its rich diversity, with 31 unique municipalities and residents hailing from more than 170 countries, the destination has long been celebrated for its dynamic culture. Now, Greater Fort Lauderdale's vibrant culinary scene is receiving global recognition from the MICHELIN Guide, positioning the area alongside top dining destinations around the world.

“We're incredibly proud to have Greater Fort Lauderdale make its highly anticipated debut in the 2025 MICHELIN Guide Florida,” said Stacy Ritter, president and CEO of Visit Lauderdale. “This prestigious distinction underscores the immense talent and creativity of our local chefs and restaurateurs. It's an exciting opportunity to showcase the exceptional flavors and diverse culinary offerings that make our destination truly unique.”

As a testament to the destination's thriving culinary landscape, several standout restaurants in Greater Fort Lauderdale have earned a spot in the MICHELIN Guide, recognized for their exceptional quality, creativity, and culinary excellence:

One MICHELIN Star

Chef's Counter at MAASS, an American-contemporary restaurant located within the Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale,delivers a standout dining experience that's as stylish as it is sophisticated. Positioned inside the MAASS dining room, the Chef's Counter provides an intimate view into the open kitchen where Chef Ryan Ratino's meticulously crafted tasting menu, executed by Chef David Brito, showcases a sophisticated blend of French techniques, Japanese ingredients, and South Florida influences. Signature dishes include a seared diver scallop served over truffle purée, a refined interpretation of chicken noodle soup finished with a velvety broth, and koshihikari rice cooked in a donabe with maitake mushrooms and Comté foam. The experience concludes with dishes like a kakigoridessert, topped with candied nuts and fresh raspberries – a memorable finale to an artfully composed menu.

Bib Gourmand

Heritage brings elevated Italian cuisine to the heart of Greater Fort Lauderdale. Under the direction of Chef Rino Cerbone, the restaurant delivers bold, comforting flavors in a lively, welcoming atmosphere. Known for its wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, and creative interpretations of traditional dishes, Heritage strikes the perfect balance between culinary craftsmanship and approachable, everyday dining – earning praise for delivering exceptional quality at an outstanding value.

Recommended by MICHELIN

Daniel's, A Florida Steakhouse presents a refined take on the classic steakhouse experience, emphasizing locally sourced ingredients and a thoughtfully curated beverage program. Led by Chef Daniel Ganem, the restaurant offers a menu that celebrates Florida's regional bounty through expertly prepared steaks, fresh seafood, and seasonal accompaniments. With its upscale ambiance and attention to detail, Daniel's stands out as a destination for both special occasions and elevated everyday dining.

Evelyn's located within the Four Season Fort Lauderdale, offers a fresh Mediterranean perspective inspired by the coastal regions of the Middle East and North Africa. Chef Brandon Salomon's menu highlights bright, vibrant flavors through dishes crafted with local seafood, fresh herbs, and homemade components. With its stylish setting and oceanfront location, Evelyn's delivers a breezy yet sophisticated dining experience that captures the essence of South Florida living.

Larb Thai-Isan brings the bold, aromatic flavors of northeastern Thailand to Greater Fort Lauderdale, offering an authentic taste of Thai-Isan cuisine in a casual, inviting setting. Chef Suksamran, classically trained in Thailand, brings deep regional knowledge and culinary expertise to each dish, from intensely flavored curries to vibrant herb-laced salads. The result is a dining experience that's both traditional and refreshingly distinct, making it a standout among the city's growing international offerings.

Greater Fort Lauderdale is home to an impressive selection of more than 4,000 dining establishments, ranging from upscale fine dining to trendy urban hotspots, all set against a stunning backdrop of golden beaches and vibrant cityscapes. Whether savoring fresh seafood or indulging in global flavors, visitors can enjoy a wide range of culinary experiences year-round, making the destination a must-visit for food lovers seeking exceptional cuisine in an unforgettable setting.

Since its inception in 1900, the MICHELIN Guide has evolved from a practical travel guidebook into one of the world's most prestigious benchmarks for fine dining and hospitality. The guide's expert inspectors evaluate restaurants based on several criteria, including the quality of ingredients, mastery of culinary techniques, harmony of flavors, personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine and consistency. Each restaurant selected for inclusion in the MICHELIN Guide is chosen for its culinary excellence, offering guests a truly exceptional dining experience.

About Visit Lauderdale

Visit Lauderdale is the official destination marketing organization for Greater Fort Lauderdale and serves as the tourism department for Broward County, Florida. Visit Lauderdale promotes the area's 31 municipalities to a global audience of leisure and business travelers as the ideal place for Everyone Under the Sun in recognition of the area's diverse and welcoming vibe, and books conventions into the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center and area hotels and resorts. Find more information and follow @VisitLauderdale on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Travelore News: Airport Reopening As South Florida Floods Slowly Recede

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — One of Florida’s busiest airports announced plans to reopen Friday morning, two days after an unprecedented deluge left planes and travelers stranded and turned Fort Lauderdale’s streets into rivers.

Officials at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport completed final inspections after sunrise Friday and said in a tweet that operations would resume at 9 a.m.

“Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for updated flight times BEFORE coming to the airport. Thanks for your patience as we work to restore normal operations,” the tweet said.

The airport shut down Wednesday evening as a storm dumped more than 2 feet (60 centimeters) of rain.

“Nature has been unkind to us,” Broward County Mayor Lamar Fisher said during a news conference Thursday afternoon at the airport.

A flood warning was expiring, but the National Weather Service warned motorists that water-covered roads could still be a hazard.

All across Fort Lauderdale, residents and business owners cleaned up. While it started raining on Monday in South Florida, much of the water fell Wednesday, and the Fort Lauderdale area saw record rainfall amounts on a matter of hours, ranging from 15 inches (38 centimeters) to 26 inches (66 centimeters).

On Thursday, residents in the city’s Edgewood neighborhood waded through knee-high water or used canoes and kayaks to navigate the streets. Dennis Vasquez, a window screen installer, towed some of his neighbor’s belongings on an inflatable mattress to a car on dry land. He himself lost all of his possessions when water rose chest-high in his house Wednesday night.

“Everything, it’s gone,” he said in Spanish. “But I will replace it.”

Christopher Alfonso and Tony Mandico, neighbors for 50 years in Edgewood, said their homes are likely total losses.

They said the area never severely flooded until a sanitary sewer system replaced septic tanks 10 years ago, making some streets higher than others and channeling rain onto lower roads.

Airlines were forced to cancel more than 650 flights at Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, according to FlightAware.com.

Southwest canceled about 50 departures through Friday morning, a spokesperson said. The airline is letting customers rebook on flights to and from Miami and Palm Beach at no additional charge, she said.

Frontier Airlines moved two flights from Fort Lauderdale to Miami but canceled about 15 other round trips, a spokesperson said. Allegiant Air also canceled some flights and rerouted others to the Tampa, Orlando and Punta Gorda areas.

Broward County Public Schools, the sixth-largest school district in the nation with more than 256,000 students, canceled classes Thursday and Friday after water inundated halls and classrooms in some schools.

The scene as floodwaters rose in the streets on Wednesday was chaotic, with abandoned cars “floating like boats,” tow truck driver Keith Hickman said.

“A truck would come by and the wake would push the cars into the other cars, and they were just floating,” he said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Shawn Bhatti, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Miami, said the region received “an unprecedented amount” of rain. The weather service was still confirming totals, but some gauges showed up to 25 inches (63.5 centimeters) of rainfall.
“For context, within a six-hour period the amount that fell is about a 1 in 1,000 chance of happening within a given year,” Bhatti said. “So it’s a very historical type of event.”

By FREIDA FRISARO, DANIEL KOZIN and TERRY SPENCER

Greater Fort Lauderdale Features Dine Out And Spa Days Through September 30, 2022

Visit Lauderdale’s annual summer savings program LauderDeals expands with irresistible Dine Out Lauderdale and Spa Days specials during August and September.

 
Dine Out Lauderdale, your entrée into Greater Fort Lauderdale’s diverse culinary scene, has something for every foodie under the sun. Diners will enjoy taste-tempting meals at some of the area’s top restaurants by taking advantage of special Dine Out Lauderdale menus, all with at least three courses for $35 or $45.

Several of Fort Lauderdale’s hottest new restaurants have Dine Out Lauderdale menus this summer. Don’t miss the chance to sample Mediterranean delights at an unbeatable price including appetizer, entrée and dessert at Evelyn’s Fort Lauderdale at the Four Seasons; or make a reservation for a much sought-after table at The Katherine. DUNE by Laurent Tourondel brings an elevated dining experience with its Dine Out Lauderdale menu to be savored oceanfront at the Auberge Residences on the beach in Fort Lauderdale. Union Kitchen & Bar’s menu isn’t only delicious, it’s a great deal at $35 for three courses. Shady Distillery offers a four-course menu with each course paired with a boozy beverage made from their house-distilled Shady Vodka or 12 Mile Rum. Or choose any one of the more than 40 participating Dine Out Lauderdale restaurants and try them now before fall and winter season crowds return.

“Greater Fort Lauderdale restaurants participating in this year’s Dine Out Lauderdale have gone above and beyond developing some irresistible menus at great prices,” says Stacy Ritter, president & CEO of Visit Lauderdale.
 
Other restaurants new to Dine Out Lauderdale include Big Buns, Planta Queen and more. In addition to new restaurant experiences, locals and visitors can take a stroll down Las Olas to experience the boulevard’s amazing atmosphere and sample Dine Out Lauderdale menus at favorite stops like  American Social, Sushi Garage, and YOLO Restaurant.
 
Also taking place during August and September, Spa Days tempts those in search of quality self-care with great prices on specialty treatments, some starting as low as $99.  The Spa at Auberge Beach offers its Auberge Signature Spa Manicure & Pedicure for $99, or you can indulge in a day of escape with the Vitality Beach & Day Pass that includes a welcome glass of prosecco, beach lounge chair, umbrella and spa amenities. Other tempting Spa Days offers can be found at Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa, Pelican Grand Beach Resort and more.
 
Summer LauderDeals for hotels and attractions continue to run through September with some extending to the end of the year. Check out the full range of hotel and attraction deals at VisitLauderdale.com/deals offering a wide range of ways to save. These offers combined with Dine Out Lauderdale and Spa Days deals combine for a perfect getaway or staycation indulgence.

Greater Fort Lauderdale Summer Hotel And Attractions Offering LauderDeals During August And September

is back with deals and discounts on hotels and attractions. Most of the hotel and attraction deals run from June 1 to September 30 with some extending through the end of the year. Increased demand for hotel and vacation rentals this year as well as inflation means that prices are higher, so those deals are even more desirable this summer.

A range of hotel and attraction deals are posted now at VisitLauderdale.com/deals

Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach hopes to lure both locals and visitors from outside Greater Fort Lauderdale with its Ultimate Beach Staycation that includes a waived resort charge, 50 percent off valet parking and a late checkout.

Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa’s Family Package includes daily breakfast buffets for two adults and two children plus turndown service and freshly baked cookies on arrival. If you’re looking for a wellness retreat

W Fort Lauderdale is waiving its resort fee in its Escape to The W Fort Lauderdale Package, meaning that fitness options like the beach boot camp, sunrise beach yoga, and beach bike rentals are included in your nightly rate, along with one free in-room movie to enjoy while you recuperate.

Attractions have money-saving deals listed, including Sunrise Paddleboards’ $59 off Jet Ski Tours offer.

There are numerous 2-for-1 offers at attractions including Flamingo Gardens, History Fort Lauderdale Sun & Fun Cycles, as well as the South Florida Adventure Pass with unlimited admission to multiple attractions for one low price.

Some deals are available all year, but most LauderDeals are offered from June 1 through September 30. Check the redeemable time frame on each LauderDeals listing to find out when you can take advantage of the savings.

Dine Out Lauderdale, your entrée into Greater Fort Lauderdale’s culinary scene, takes place this year during August and September. Diners will enjoy the very best tastes of Greater Fort Lauderdale at some of the area’s top restaurants by taking advantage of taste-tempting meals, all with at least three courses, for $35 or $45.

Spa Days, also taking place during August and September, tempts those in need of self-care with great prices on specialty treatments, some starting for as low as $99. Restaurant and spa treatment menus will be posted closer to the August 1 start date, along with all the other deals at visitlauderdale.com/deals.