JetBlue to launch transatlantic flights in 2021

'JetBlue will offer the elevated flying experience for a fraction of what other airlines are charging today for premium seats'

Simon Calder
Travel Correspondent
Saturday 13 April 2019 07:18 BST
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Airline JetBlue vows to transform travel from US to Europe

The “big reveal” of JetBlue’s long-awaited transatlantic flights has raised more questions than it answers.

As The Independent predicted, the New York-based “boutique airline” says it will link its two key airports, JFK and Boston, with London.

But flights will not begin for two years, and there is no indication of which London airport will be used.

“JetBlue is evaluating which London airports it will serve,” the airline says – which in reality means it is seeking slots at Heathrow but will accept Gatwick or possibly Stansted if these are not forthcoming.

Nor is there any indication of how many daily flights there will be on two routes that are traditionally highly frequency-sensitive.

The aircraft type is known, however: Airbus A321LR narrow-bodied planes. JetBlue says the business class offering will be “a reimagined version of Mint”, its successful transcontinental premium offering.

The airline says: “Transatlantic Mint product features and design elements, combined with JetBlue’s specially trained Mint inflight crewmembers, will create an intimate and exclusive travel experience.

“And like its transcontinental Mint business model, JetBlue will offer the elevated flying experience for a fraction of what other airlines are charging today for premium seats.”

Joanna Geraghty, the airline’s president and chief operating officer, said: “Twenty years ago, our founders had a simple formula for choosing a new market – it had to be overpriced, underserved, or both.

“The fares being charged today by airlines on these routes, specifically on the premium end, are enough to make you blush.”

JetBlue says the move “ushers in a new era of customer-focused, low-fare travel between the US and Europe”.

It is aimed primarily at existing JetBlue passengers in the US rather than new customers in London.

Economy class will be known as “Core,” and will feature free live TV and inflight wifi.

Malcolm Ginsberg, editor in chief of Business Travel News, said: “This announcement is without precedent. No route licences. No London destination, nor even a start-up date. And with a narrow bodied aircraft.

“All very strange. But it does raise the profile of Jet Blue this side of the water as one of America’s most innovative and successful airlines. It also alerts the competition.”

British Airways has responded dismissively to the prospect of more competition, saying: “We know that our customers enjoy the choice of up to 18 flights a day to New York and Boston, as well as a wide range of convenient connections to suit travellers who need to start or finish their journey outside of London.

“With fares starting at just £258 return, lounges for our business customers and the opportunity to earn Avios points on our popular loyalty scheme, we’re confident our customers will continue to choose British Airways for their trip across the pond.”

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Along with its partner American Airlines, BA is likely to respond tactically to JetBlue’s launch by cutting fares on routes where it ends up competing: from Gatwick to New York JFK, or from Heathrow to both New York and Boston.

Virgin Atlantic and its part-owner, Delta, have already announced flights from Gatwick to New York and Boston to begin at some time in 2020.

As with the JetBlue announcement, details are sketchy.

If Gatwick is chosen, the biggest direct competitor based on current schedules will be Norwegian, which has two or three daily flights to New York JFK and one to Boston.

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