JetBlue announces 30 new routes, adds Mint service from Newark
JetBlue Airways is moving to fly where flyers want to go, adding 30 new routes even as demand for air travel remains well below 2019 levels amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The new routes at the New York-based carrier will come from its focus cities and Florida between July and October, JetBlue said Thursday. The airline hopes the routes will help it generate revenue, reactivate aircraft and avoid staff furloughs this fall.
The biggest winner appears to be Newark Liberty (EWR) where JetBlue will add nine new routes, as well as add its premium Mint service, by October. The addition of Mint, which includes lie-flat seats, thrusts JetBlue into direct competition with United Airlines on two of the latter's higher-profile domestic routes -- between Newark and both Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) -- out of one of its busiest hubs. United also flies a premium domestic service on the routes.
Elsewhere, JetBlue's announcement includes also significant additions at New York John F. Kennedy (JFK) and Philadelphia (PHL) airports.
Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more airline news!
"Coronavirus has transformed airline route maps, and as we begin to see small signs of recovery, we continue to be flexible with our network plans to respond to demand trends and generate cash in support of our business," Scott Laurence, head of revenue and planning at JetBlue, said in a statement.
With the route additions plus previously planned service resumptions, JetBlue will fly about half its normal summer schedule this year.
Multiple airlines have reported a return of leisure travelers this summer. While numbers remain well below what they were last year, people tired of sheltering-in-place due to COVID-19 are flying to places with space, like beaches in Florida, national parks and the Rocky Mountains.
However, analysts have warned that summer vacationing travelers may not translate into a continued uptick travel demand once the begins. Typically, leisure travel declines and business travel picks up after Labor Day. This year, however, it is unclear when -- or if -- corporate flyers will return.
Related: Airlines may face a tough fall after that summer uptick
JetBlue is not alone in adding new routes to tap into this returning demand. Alaska Airlines is adding new service to Fresno (FAT) -- the closest airport to Yosemite National Park -- Frontier Airlines has added new routes to Florida, and Southwest Airlines will add 11 routes to its map this winter.
In addition to the routes, JetBlue will resume service to nine airports where it previously suspended service by early July. These include Aguadilla (BQN) and Ponce (PSE) in Puerto Rico, Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Houston Bush Intercontinental (IAH), Martha's Vineyard (MVY), Minneapolis/St. Paul (SMP), Nantucket (ACK), Philadelphia (PHL), Portland, Oregon (PDX) and Providence (PVD).
Another thing to note in JetBlue's route announcement: all of the new routes will be flown with either Airbus A320 or A321 jets. Cowen analysts expect the airline will accelerate the retirement of its 60 Embraer E190s as a result of the pandemic.
Related: JetBlue and Spirit Airlines can suspend flights to 16 hub airports
Below is a list of JetBlue's 30 new routes.
Beginning July 23:
- Newark - Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) on Mint; Charleston, South Carolina (CHS) and Jacksonville (JAX)
- New York JFK - Dallas/Fort Worth and Detroit (DTW)
Beginning Aug. 6:
- Newark - Austin (AUS), Las Vegas (LAS), Phoenix (PHX), San Diego (SAN) and Sarasota-Bradenton (SRQ)
- New York JFK - Minneapolis/St. Paul
- New York LaGuardia (LGA) - Fort Myers (RSW) and Tampa (TPA)
- Philadelphia - Fort Myers (RSW), Orlando (MCO), San Juan (SJU), Tampa and West Palm Beach (PBI)
Beginning Oct. 1:
- Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - Pittsburgh (PIT), Portland, Oregon, and Seattle-Tacoma (SEA)
- Fort Myers - Cleveland (CLE) and Providence
- New York JFK - St. Thomas (STT)
- Orlando - San Francisco
- Tampa - Providence and Washington National (DCA)
- West Palm Beach - Chicago O'Hare and Pittsburgh
Related: These are the 1,000 planes that US carriers could send to the boneyard
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.