JetBlue officially makes Amsterdam its 3rd European destination
JetBlue is gearing up for a blockbuster summer of transatlantic expansion.
The New York-based carrier announced Tuesday that it will add service to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) beginning "later this summer" from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Flights from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to AMS will commence at a later undisclosed date.
As with its other European markets, JetBlue will deploy the 138-seat Airbus A321LR, or “long-range,” on its new daily flight to Amsterdam.
These single-aisle jets are outfitted with two extra-spacious, front-row Mint Studios as well as 22 Mint suites with direct aisle access and 114 standard “Core" economy seats (24 of which are in an extra-legroom Even More Space configuration).
The Amsterdam announcement may not necessarily be surprising to those following JetBlue's transatlantic ambitions, but it does come just three weeks after running into a regulatory roadblock.
JetBlue has been on a legal blitz to secure permission to fly to Amsterdam. It even solicited help from the U.S. Department of Transportation to access this popular market. The airline was temporarily awarded coveted takeoff and landing permissions for this summer, but it wasn't happy with this arrangement.
These limited-time slots would pose "significant market planning challenges" and "reputational harm" if the airline were forced to cancel its new flights once the winter season rolls around.
At the time, JetBlue said it wouldn't launch service unless it received permanent Amsterdam slots, which it now believes will come to fruition.
Tuesday's announcement comes on the heels of a Dutch court blocking the proposed cap on annual departures and arrivals at AMS.
This "balanced approach" was set to take effect in November. It was poised to cap the number of AMS's yearly aircraft movements (takeoffs and landings) at 440,000 — down 60,000 from the previous quota — as part of an effort to reduce air and noise pollution in the region.
Without this cap in place, the airline says it is "confident in long-term path" to serving Amsterdam, but it did note that the new flights are still subject to receipt of government operating authority. That's probably one reason why the carrier hasn't set a date for the inaugural.
Amsterdam will join London and Paris as JetBlue's three transatlantic destinations. The carrier launched service to the United Kingdom capital in 2021 and recently announced details of its new flights to the City of Light starting June 29 from New York.
Though it's shaping up to be a busy summer on the transatlantic front, JetBlue’s president and chief operating officer Joanna Geraghty thinks the airline can handle it all.
"We can do them both," Geraghty said in a recent interview with TPG, referring to flying to Paris and Amsterdam this year using the five new Airbus A321LR jets JetBlue plans to receive in the coming months.
"Entrenched legacy carriers and joint ventures that have been around for years are impeding the ability for others to grow [in Amsterdam]," Geraghty added.
She was likely referring to the Air France-KLM and Delta transatlantic joint venture partnership, which offers up to five daily flights between New York and Amsterdam. Delta and KLM were the only two airlines flying between Boston and Amsterdam.
Now, these transatlantic behemoths will have some competition from a brand-new entrant, JetBlue.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.