JetBlue Strengthening its East Coast Network With New Routes And Destinations For Summer Travel

JetBlue is making summer travel even more exciting for 2025 with the addition of new cities and new routes to its network, offering customers more options to reach their favorite destinations. It’s all part of the airline’s JetForward strategy, which includes building the best East Coast leisure network. Whether it’s a relaxing coastal escape, an urban adventure, or a nature-filled getaway, JetBlue has something for everyone.

Among this summer’s additions, now available for booking, are JetBlue’s first-ever flights to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and San Pedro Sula, Honduras, with other new U.S. cities topping off the list. Customers can look forward to more convenient travel options and JetBlue’s award-winning service as they plan their next summer getaway or trip to visit family and friends.

New Cities and Exciting Boston Additions

JetBlue is strengthening its position as Boston’s leading leisure carrier, today unveiling five new routes to picturesque summer escapes—four of which are brand-new additions to the JetBlue network. These routes complement the airline's previously announced new European destinations, Madrid and Edinburgh. With these additions, JetBlue will offer an industry-leading 77 nonstop destinations from Boston, more than any other airline.

"We continue to focus on growing our leisure network in Boston by introducing more incredible new summer seasonal markets,” said Daniel Shurz, JetBlue’s head of revenue, network, and enterprise planning. “We know customers across New England love taking advantage of JetBlue’s great service and competitive fares for their summer vacations, and we think each of these will be extremely popular for our loyal customers in the region.”

From Boston Logan International Airport (BOS):

Destination: Launch Date Frequency

Wilmington, NC (ILM) April 30, 2025 1x daily, summer seasonal

Norfolk, VA (ORF) April 30, 2025 1x daily, summer seasonal

Islip, New York (ISP) April 30, 2025 1x daily, summer seasonal

Madrid, Spain (MAD)*+ May 22, 2025 1x daily, summer seasonal

Edinburgh, Scotland (EDI)+ May 22, 2025 1x daily, summer seasonal

Traverse City, MI (TVC) June 5, 2025 3x weekly, summer seasonal

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (YHZ) June 26, 2025 1x daily, summer seasonal

Growing JetBlue’s New England Presence

In addition to its growth in Boston, JetBlue is adding new New England routes from Providence, Rhode Island, and Hartford, Connecticut, to New York’s JFK, providing onward connectivity to JetBlue’s extensive JFK network. Service from Providence to Tampa and Hartford to Fort Myers will also expand from winter seasonal to year-round service. Elsewhere in the region, JetBlue recently made Portland, Maine, a year-round destination, and next week, it will start service in Manchester, New Hampshire, with multiple routes to Florida.

Fresh Routes to the New York Area and Beyond

As New York’s Hometown Airline®, JetBlue is announcing new and returning routes across the New York metropolitan area.

JetBlue will resume daily service from JFK to Washington, D.C., starting March 30, followed by the launch of daily flights from JFK to Detroit, Hartford, Pittsburgh, and Providence on April 30. On the same day, the airline will also resume service between JFK and Burbank on a seasonal basis. These flights not only provide travelers with convenient access to the New York metro area but also connects them to a world of leisure destinations, especially in the Caribbean, through JetBlue’s expansive JFK focus city network and offers operational benefits as the airline plans a more reliable and efficient JFK schedule.

From Newark, JetBlue is relaunching service to popular destinations Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and Los Angeles, complementing JetBlue’s year-round service to these destinations from New York’s JFK. Service between Newark and Los Angeles will feature the airline’s Mint® premium experience with fully lie-flat private suites and restaurant quality dining.

“With these new destinations and routes, JetBlue is introducing even more travelers to our industry-leading service, strengthening our position in New York and as the East Coast's leisure airline,” said Shurz. “We’re excited to build on our momentum, offering customers across the Northeast and beyond even more travel opportunities.”

New York Metro Routes:

Blue City: New York Area Airport: Launch Date: Frequency:

Washington D.C. (DCA) John F. Kennedy Intl. (JFK) March 30, 2025 1x daily, year-round

Boston, MA (BOS) Long Island MacArthur (ISP) April 30, 2025 1x daily, summer seasonal

Tampa, FL (TPA) LaGuardia (LGA) April 30, 2025 2x daily, year-round

Hartford, CT (BDL) John F. Kennedy Intl. (JFK) April 30, 2025 1x daily, year-round

Burbank, CA (BUR) John F. Kennedy Intl. (JFK) April 30, 2025 1x daily, summer seasonal

Detroit, MI (DTW) John F. Kennedy Intl. (JFK) April 30, 2025 1x daily, year-round

Pittsburgh, PA (PIT) John F. Kennedy Intl. (JFK) April 30, 2025 1x daily, year-round

Providence, RI (PVD) John F. Kennedy Intl. (JFK) April 30, 2025 1x daily, year-round

Los Angeles, CA (LAX) Newark Liberty Intl. (EWR) April 30, 2025 3x daily, summer seasonal

San Pedro Sula, Honduras (SAP)* John F. Kennedy Intl. (JFK) June 12, 2025 1x daily, year-round

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (SDQ)* Newark Liberty Intl. (EWR) June 12, 2025 1-2x daily, summer seasonal

Latin America and Caribbean Growth

JetBlue is enhancing its connections across Latin America and the Caribbean, regions where its low fares and award-winning customer service have made it a leading airline. The airline is excited to introduce its first flights to Honduras and the return of service between Santo Domingo and Newark. Additionally, starting April 30, 2025*, JetBlue will expand its presence in Guatemala City with a new daily flight to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This route will complement the airline’s existing service between Guatemala City and New York’s JFK, providing customers with even more travel options.

More About JetBlue’s New Destinations

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Halifax is a jewel of Canada’s east coast, seamlessly blending its maritime legacy with a dynamic, contemporary atmosphere. The city’s picturesque waterfront buzzes with activity, while iconic sites like the Halifax Citadel reveal its past. Food lovers will relish the world-class seafood, and nature enthusiasts can explore the serene Public Gardens. Halifax’s unique mix of culture, history, and coastal scenery promises an unforgettable experience.

Traverse City, Michigan

Nestled on the pristine shores of Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay, Traverse City is a treasure trove of natural wonders and local delights. Known for its cherry orchards and renowned wineries, it also offers endless opportunities for adventure, from exploring sandy beaches to beautiful biking trails. Vibrant festivals and farm-to-table cuisine celebrate what the region has to offer, making Traverse City a vibrant escape for both nature enthusiasts and food connoisseurs.

Norfolk, Virginia

Norfolk is a city of contrasts, where a proud maritime tradition meets modern waterfront living. Explore the Norfolk Botanical Garden’s serene beauty, uncover art treasures at the Chrysler Museum, or experience the buzz of the Waterside District. This gateway to Chesapeake Bay boasts lively festivals, captivating naval history, and a warm, welcoming spirit, ensuring visitors are charmed at every turn.

Wilmington, North Carolina

Wilmington combines a historic downtown with the relaxed vibes of the Atlantic coast. The scenic Riverwalk offers stunning views and charming boutiques, while the USS North Carolina Battleship brings history to life. Just minutes away, Wrightsville Beach invites visitors to unwind by the sea. With its eclectic festivals and blend of culture and coastal leisure, Wilmington has something for everyone to enjoy.

San Pedro Sula, Honduras

San Pedro Sula serves as a gateway to Honduras’s rich culture. Known as the country’s industrial hub, it’s also a city of connection, welcoming visitors eager to reunite with friends and family. Explore the bustling Mercado Guamilito for local crafts and flavors or venture out to discover nearby attractions like the beaches of Tela or the ancient ruins of Copán. With many customers eager to visit loved ones in the region, JetBlue is happy to make these reunions possible.

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 to more than 100 destinations throughout the United States, Latin America, Caribbean, Canada and Europe. For more information and the best fares, visit jetblue.com.

US Hits JetBlue With $2 Million Penalty Over Chronic Flight Delays

The U.S. Transportation Department imposed a $2 million penalty on JetBlue Airways for operating four chronically delayed flights on domestic routes - the first time it has imposed such a fine on an airline for the prohibited scheduling practice.

USDOT said on Friday that as part of a consent agreement with the airline, JetBlue will pay a $1 million fine and the remainder will go to compensate customers affected by its chronic delays or any future disruptions within the next year.

As part of the settlement, JetBlue has agreed to provide vouchers worth a minimum of $75 for passengers for future flight cancellations or delays of three hours or more caused by the airline within the next year.

"Today's action puts the airline industry on notice that we expect their flight schedules to reflect reality,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

JetBlue, which did not admit liability, said in a statement it appreciates "how important it is to our customers to arrive to their destinations on-time and work very hard to operate our flights as scheduled."

It criticized USDOT for a persistent lack of adequate air traffic control staffing. "We believe accountability for reliable air travel equally lies with the U.S. government, which operates our nation’s air traffic control system," the airline said.

USDOT said at various points in 2022 and 2023 JetBlue operated chronically delayed flights between New York and Raleigh-Durham, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando along with a flight between Fort Lauderdale and Windsor Locks, Connecticut.

"Regardless of the cause of the delay (carrier, weather, national airspace, security) for any specific flight, JetBlue had adequate time to act to avoid the chronic delays," USDOT said.

The airline said it spent tens of millions of dollars to address issues with air traffic control especially in the U.S. Northeast corridor to as much as reasonably possible prevent any chronic delays and made significant improvements last year in cutting travel disruptions.

https://www.reuters.com/authors/david-shepardson/

JetBlue Boosts Boston Transatlantic Flying By Launching New Service To Madrid And Edinburgh

JetBlue, New England’s leading leisure airline, is elevating transatlantic travel with the launch of two exciting new routes to Madrid and Edinburgh. Starting May 22, 2025, JetBlue will introduce daily nonstop seasonal service between Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD), marking its debut in Spain and expanding its European footprint.

On the same day, JetBlue will also kick off daily seasonal flights between Boston Logan and Edinburgh Airport (EDI) in Scotland. This new route will join JetBlue’s popular summer seasonal service between New York’s JFK Airport and Edinburgh, giving travelers even more ways to experience the charm of Scotland's historic capital. Both routes, along with all of JetBlue’s European destinations, are now available for booking.

“Madrid and Edinburgh represent two of Europe’s most exciting and popular destinations, and we’re happy to offer even more transatlantic travel options for our customers from Boston and New England,” said Daniel Shurz, head of revenue, network and enterprise planning at JetBlue. “Europe continues to be part of our network strategy, as our loyal customers look for JetBlue's signature service and low fares to bring them to top leisure destinations, including across the Atlantic."

Since its entrance into the European market over three years ago, JetBlue’s reputation has quickly grown as the airline of choice for affordable, customer-focused, and premium transatlantic travel.

Optimizing JetBlue’s European Service with JetForward

JetBlue's new Boston flights to Madrid and Edinburgh support its JetForward strategy to build the best East Coast leisure network and return to sustained profitability. Edinburgh and Madrid will join JetBlue’s existing transatlantic seasonal service from Boston to Amsterdam, Dublin, and London-Gatwick, and year-round flights to London-Heathrow and Paris. In summer 2025, JetBlue will offer 7 daily nonstops from Boston to Europe.

From New York-JFK, JetBlue serves Dublin and Edinburgh seasonally, while Amsterdam, London-Heathrow, and Paris are served year-round. Based on their popularity, returning routes to Dublin and Edinburgh have been extended this year to the end of October, a month later than the previous year.

“Since launching flights to London in 2021, we’ve thoughtfully adjusted our European service to maximize value for our customers and our business,” said Shurz. “By aligning our schedule with peak seasonal demand and flying our aircraft to other destinations in the off-season, we’re capitalizing from a business perspective while delivering the destinations and experiences our customers love. This approach is driving meaningful results.”

Customers across JetBlue’s network can connect through Boston and New York as gateways to their next European adventure or, via Europe, both focus cities serve as a gateway to JetBlue’s many destinations throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America.

Destination- Frequency- Dates of Service

London-Heathrow (LHR) 1x daily Year-round

Paris (CDG) 1x daily Year-round

Amsterdam (AMS) 1x daily March 29 – October 24

Dublin (DUB) 1x daily April 17 – October 24

London-Gatwick (LGW) 1x daily May 22 – October 24

Edinburgh (EDI) 1x daily May 22 – October 24

Madrid (MAD) 1x daily May 22 – October 24

New York-JFK Transatlantic 2025 Service:

Destination- Frequency- Dates of Service

London-Heathrow (LHR) 2x daily Year-round

Paris (CDG) 1x daily Year-round

Amsterdam (AMS) 1x daily Year-round

Dublin (DUB) 1x daily April 17 – October 24

Edinburgh (EDI) 1x daily May 8 – October 24

Madrid: Culture and Cuisine - ¡Qué Guay! (How cool!)

Madrid is a city that never sleeps and provides travelers with endless cultural and gastronomical offerings. Visitors fall in love with its energy, from the historic streets in the city center to the modern style of Gran Vía. It’s a foodie paradise, whether you’re having tapas in La Latina, sipping sangria in a century-old taberna or indulging in chocolate-dipped churros.

Art enthusiasts flock to the world-famous Prado Museum, while sports fans cheer on legendary soccer teams. And when the sun sets, Madrid’s nightlife lights up with rooftop bars, flamenco shows, and bustling plazas. It’s no wonder travelers keep coming back for a dose of Spain’s vibrant capital.

Edinburgh: ‘Bonny’ in the Summer, Brimming with History

Many visitors to Edinburgh agree, it is a city directly out of a storybook, where medieval charm meets modern comforts. The city, a gateway to the Scottish Highlands, features cobblestone streets, the iconic Edinburgh Castle perched high on its rocky throne, and the mysterious allure of the historic Royal Mile. It is a paradise for festival lovers, with JetBlue being a proud recent sponsor of the world-famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Whisky enjoyers can toast to the city’s rich distilling heritage, while nature seekers are rewarded with awesome views from Arthur’s Seat. That’s not to mention world-class golf courses, in the country where the sport was born. From its literary history to its cozy pubs, Edinburgh is a magical blend of culture, adventure, and a wee bit of Scottish charm.

Schedule between Boston (BOS) and Madrid (MAD)

Daily seasonal service beginning May 22, 2025 (Eastbound) & May 23, 2025 (Westbound) (Through October 24, 2025)

All times local

BOS-MAD Flight #2261

MAD-BOS Flight #2260

10:25 p.m. – 11:30 a.m. ( +1)

1:30 p.m. – 3:20 p.m.

Schedule between Boston (BOS) and Edinburgh (EDI)

Daily seasonal service beginning May 22, 2025 (Eastbound) & May 23, 2025 (Westbound) (Through October 24, 2025)

All times local

BOS-EDI Flight #1079

EDI-BOS Flight #1080

10:30 p.m. – 10:10 a.m. ( +1)

12:10 p.m. – 2:22 p.m.

The JetBlue Experience

Flights to Madrid and Edinburgh will operate on JetBlue’s A321-series aircraft. These aircraft feature JetBlue’s Mint premium experience, with fully lie-flat private suite, restaurant-style small plates curated by Delicious Hospitality Group’s (DHG) popular New York City restaurants Charlie Bird, Pasquale Jones and Legacy Records.

The airline’s award-winning core experience offers a new level of service to customers who generally fly “coach” but still want a great experience at an attractive fare. Core customers enjoy a boutique-style experience no matter where they sit with a free selection of brand-name snacks, soft drinks, coffee, tea, beer, wine and liquor and a high-quality complimentary meal from JetBlue’s culinary partner, DIG.

Customers in both Core and Mint stay connected throughout the flight with fast, free and unlimited high-speed Fly-Fi 2 . Additionally, customers have access to a robust selection of inflight entertainment, including exclusive content from JetBlue’s streaming partner, Peacock, on seatback screens at every seat. All customers are able to enjoy a multi-screen experience onboard – just like they do at home.

For more details on JetBlue’s transatlantic service, visit: https://www.jetblue.com/flying-with-us/uk-and-europe.

JetBlue Has a New Flight To A Caribbean Island With Uncrowded Beaches, Historic Towns And A Buzzing Food Scene

A buzzing food scene that includes some of the best restaurants in the Caribbean. Copious, uncrowded beaches. Colorful, charming downtowns with centuries of history. If you haven’t been to St Croix in the US Virgin Islands, you’re missing out on a vibe not quite like any other Caribbean island.

The primary pool at the Buccaneer resort in St Croix.

Now, a major airline is back in St Croix. JetBlue just re-entered the largest US Virgin Island with a new nonstop flight from San Juan, connecting St Croix to its vast network of routes that fly to San Juan.

The new flight is operating every day of the week; the flight takes about 45 minutes between Puerto Rico and St Croix. JetBlue is using an Airbus A320 to operate it.

JetBlue also flies from San Juan to St Thomas, and from Boston to St Thomas.

So what about prices?

The San Juan-St Croix flight costs about $29 for one-way trips right now, as part of a special intro offer.

If you’re flying from, say, Fort Lauderdale to St Croix via San Juan next month, the new JetBlue route will take cost about $833.21. That includes the flight to San Juan and the flight to St Croix. You can book on one ticket with one itinerary, and check your bags all the way through to St Croix.

https://www.caribjournal.com/author/alexander-britell/

Travelore News: JetBlue Opening Airport Lounges At JFK And Boston

JetBlue Airways will open its first airport lounges next year in New York and Boston in a bid to compete with larger airlines for premium travelers.

The airline said Thursday that it will open an 8,000-square-foot lounge at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York late next year, followed shortly by an 11,000-square-foot one at Boston Logan International Airport.

JetBlue said the lounges will primarily be for top-level members of its TrueBlue frequent-flyer program and those who get a new, premium JetBlue-branded credit card that is not yet available. The airline will also sell day passes if space is available.

Jayne O’Brien, head of marketing and customer support for the New York-based airline, said the lounges are part of building stronger service for premium leisure travelers on the East Coast.

“The lounges are something we have been looking at for a while, and now is the right time to put in these extra benefits for our most valuable customers,” O’Brien said in an interview.

JetBlue declined to say how much it will cost to build and operate the lounges, which are a staple at key airports for American, Delta and United.

Delta and United have reported that revenue from premium passengers is growing faster than other segments.

O’Brien said JetBlue will consider whether to open lounges at other airports after it sees results from JFK and Boston.

AP

Travelore News: JetBlue, Spirit Airlines Call Off $3.8 Bln Merger On Antitrust Hurdle

Low-cost air carriers JetBlue Airways opens new tab and Spirit Airlines opens new tab canceled their $3.8-billion merger agreement on Monday, seeing no path forward after a U.S. judge blocked the deal in January on anti-competition concerns.

A successful deal would have created the fifth-largest carrier in the United States and helped Spirit ensure its survival, but the deal had been on the ropes ever since a Boston judge said it would harm consumers by reducing competition.

"With the ruling from the federal court and the Department of Justice’s continued opposition, the probability of getting the green light to move forward with the merger anytime soon is extremely low," JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty told employees in an internal note seen by Reuters.

"Even if the ruling was overturned on appeal, we simply don’t see a path to regulatory approval by the required July 24 deadline."

Spirit CEO Ted Christie said in a statement, "we concluded that current regulatory obstacles will not permit us to close this transaction in a timely fashion under the merger agreement." Under the agreement, JetBlue will pay Spirit $69 million. While the merger agreement was in effect, Spirit stockholders received approximately $425 million in total pre-payments.

Without the JetBlue deal, Spirit, the seventh-largest U.S. carrier, faces a rough road ahead. The ultra-low-cost carrier has grappled with weak demand in its key markets as it seeks to return to sustainable profitability. Some analysts have even suggested the company could face bankruptcy if it cannot shore up finances.

Spirit shares fell 14% in premarket trading, while JetBlue, the sixth-largest U.S carrier, shares rose 5.5%.

The decision is a victory for the Biden Administration, which has taken a hard line against tie-ups in the aviation sector and argued the deal would boost ticket prices for consumers.

The administration has used antitrust action and other enforcement efforts to try to bring down prices for U.S. residents across several industries.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge William Young found the proposed deal was likely to hurt competition in the U.S. aviation market and could hike ticket prices.

That prompted JetBlue to raise doubts over the future of its deal, saying it might be unable to meet certain conditions required as part of the agreement.

The Justice Department and Transportation Department did not immediately comment.

JetBlue opted not to appeal a separate ruling that had declared its Northeast partnership with American Airlines anticompetitive.

JetBlue, which last month hiked baggage fees, said is working on numerous near-term efforts to boost revenue by more than $300 million and said it is on track to deliver $175-200 million in cost savings from its structural cost program and $75 million in maintenance savings from its fleet modernization.

A judge in May sided with the Justice Department and six states in a lawsuit challenging the joint venture that American and JetBlue entered into in 2020, called the "Northeast Alliance," joining forces for flights in and out of New York City and Boston, coordinating schedules and pooling revenue.

Spirit said it was taking steps to ensure the strength of its balance sheet and ongoing operations and retained Perella Weinberg & Partners and Davis Polk & Wardwell as advisors.

Reporting by Aatreyee Dasgupta in Bengaluru and David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by David Gaffen, Devika Syamnath, Arun Koyyur and Nick Zieminski

Major U.S. Airline Makes Pricing Change Its Passengers Will Love

As the winter months come to a close and aspiring vacationers begin to sense the approach of spring, many are looking for opportunities to travel.

Whether for spring break or for one last chance to get away to a warmer climate before summer, JetBlue is now offering some inexpensive trips to warm climates.

Destinations include Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America and involve the use of the airline's TrueBlue points.

The most basic way to earn these points is flying with JetBlue or American Airlines. Travelers earn points based on the cost of tickets and fare type.

When airfares are reduced, the points required for booking are also lower.

JetBlue vacation packages allow people to redeem points for flights, hotels and car rentals, but the points are not to be used for travel insurance or taxes and fees that are part of the packages.

You can also use cash plus points to purchase airfare on JetBlue, bringing down the total cost.

Flights are in February through May

It may be smart to move on these offers fairly quickly.

"In fact, if your weekend plans this weekend are free, you may be able to snag a last-minute ticket to somewhere warm ... and near the ocean," wrote Sean Dudahy for The Points Guy.

Many of the destinations involved in TrueBlue points offers are from the Northeast (particularly New York) to locations in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America.

The travel dates are February through May, depending on the routes. And Dudahy suggests booking directly with JetBlue.

"In keeping with the nature of dynamic pricing, JetBlue's award pricing fluctuates from one day to the next and from one route to the next," Dudahy wrote. "However, what we found are TrueBlue prices that are generally trending in the 4,000- to 7,000-point range one-way."

"Most of the availability is for the New York City area, though if you live in New England or South Florida, you may want to plug in some destinations out of JetBlue hubs Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) or Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and see what you can find," he added.

These are some flights that are involved

One example is an early March flight from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Cancun International Aiport, priced at 4,100 TrueBlue points each way.

"TPG values TrueBlue points at 1.4 cents per point, so the value of that 8,200-point round-trip itinerary is around $114," Dudahy wrote.

Another flies from Newark Liberty International Airport to Jamaica's Sangster International Airport for 5,800 points each way.
For 6,100 TrueBlue points, a traveler can fly nonstop from Newark to Queen Beatrix International airport in Aruba.

"Keep in mind that with JetBlue, the prices for the outbound and return trips are priced separately, so you may find the award pricing is higher on the return trip or vice versa," Dudahy wrote.

"If you're itching to plan a late winter or early spring getaway and have been waiting for the right opportunity to use some TrueBlue points, now may be your opportunity," he continued. "Hop on the airline's booking site, and run a few searches for February, March or even April and May to some destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America you've been hoping to visit."

"You may be able to find a redemption for just a few thousand points each way."

https://www.thestreet.com/author/jeffrey-quiggle

Travelore News: US Seeks To Block JetBlue's Spirit Airlines Deal At Trial

A U.S. Department of Justice lawyer on Tuesday urged a federal judge to block JetBlue Airways' (JBLU.O) planned $3.8 billion acquisition of ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines (SAVE.N) at the start of closely-watched antitrust trial.

case in federal court in Boston is part of a broad effort by President Joe Biden's administration to preserve competition among the lowest cost airlines, ensuring air travel remains affordable for many more US consumers.

Justice Department attorney Arianna Markel in her opening statement told U.S. District Judge William Young that the deal would lead to fewer flights and seats and higher prices.

She said a JetBlue internal analysis projected its fares would increase 30% once Spirit, which competes with JetBlue on around 100 routes nationally, is not a competitor. Passengers would suffer roughly $1 billion in net harm annually, she said.

"JetBlue is counting on the fact that eliminating Spirit and the competition Spirit provides will allow JetBlue to raise fares," Markel said. "That is real harm to real people."

JetBlue attorney Ryan Shores countered that the case was a "misguided" challenge to a merger between the U.S.'s sixth and seventh largest airlines, which combined control less than 8% of the domestic market dominated by four larger airlines.

Those four U.S. carriers - United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines - dominate 80% of the domestic market following a series of previous airline mergers that the federal government blessed, Shores said.

Yet Shores said the government had wrongly tried to bar JetBlue from growing into a larger challenge to those four airlines and disrupt a market that has become "bad for competition and bad for consumers.
"
"The government in this case has lost the forest for the trees," Shores said.

The trial began on the same day JetBlue posted lower-than-expected third-quarter results, citing air traffic control and weather delays during the summer travel season, and projected a larger-than-expected fourth-quarter loss.

Its shares were down 16.7% to a near 12-year low in morning trading.

JetBlue has called the deal pro-consumer and has sought to ease U.S. regulators' antitrust concerns by agreeing to sell off Spirit's gates and slots at certain airports in New York City, Boston, Newark and Fort Lauderdale.

But the Justice Department has said those divestitures are not enough, and in a lawsuit filed in March argued the combined airline would harm consumers by increasing fares and reducing choice on routes nationwide.

The department is suing alongside Democratic attorneys general from six states and the District of Columbia. They call Spirit a "disruptive and innovative airline" whose low-cost, no-frills model has forced price cuts industry-wide.

The department's case is part of a broader push by the Biden administration to aggressively step up antitrust enforcement, an initiative that has had mixed results in court.

JetBlue was already the focus of one of its earlier cases, with a different Boston judge, Leo Sorokin, in May siding with the government in finding that JetBlue's U.S. Northeast partnership with American Airlines violated antitrust law.

JetBlue subsequently decided to terminate the alliance. American Airlines is appealing Sorokin's decision.

Reuters. Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston, Additional reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi, Nick Zieminski and Marguerita Choy

JetBlue To Expand Transatlantic Offerings With Seasonal Service To Dublin And Edinburgh

JetBlue Airways said Wednesday it has started selling flights scheduled for next spring and summer between the United States and both Dublin and Edinburgh.

The airline said it will run daily flights from New York and Boston to Dublin from March 13 through Sept. 30, and from New York to Edinburgh from May 22 through Sept. 30.

JetBlue plans to use single-aisle Airbus A321neo planes configured with 160 seats for both routes.

JetBlue hopes to take advantage of strong demand for international travel, which has grown more quickly than domestic travel this year.

The New York-based airline currently flies to London, Paris and Amsterdam, far fewer transatlantic destinations than offered by its bigger U.S. rivals.

Source: AP

JetBlue Adds Amsterdam In Effort To Compete With Big Rivals

JetBlue said Tuesday it will begin flying between New York and Amsterdam this summer after a Dutch court blocked a government effort to limit flights at Schiphol Airport.

JetBlue currently flies to London and will start service to Paris in June. The Amsterdam flights will put the New York-based airline in head-to-head competition against the alliance of bigger rivals Delta Air Lines and KLM.

“This route is long overdue for some competition,” said JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes.

JetBlue said it eventually plans to add flights between Boston and Amsterdam, but it did not give a timetable.

JetBlue has seeking approval to fly to Amsterdam for some time but was unable to get anything more than temporary takeoff and landing slots this summer, which it said wasn’t good enough. The airline reversed course on Tuesday, however, saying that a court ruling against the Dutch government’s plan to reduce flights at Schiphol gives it confidence to enter the market.

Most airlines use big, two-aisle planes for transatlantic flights, but JetBlue will use a long-range version of the smaller, single-aisle Airbus A321 to reduce costs.

: Source: AP