JetBlue considers premium amenities for Boston 'shuttle' routes
JetBlue Airways could soon offer free beer and wine on its Boston flights that overlap with competitors' shuttle routes, part of the company's effort to compete for lucrative business travelers.
The New York-based carrier is considering offering select premium amenities on high-frequency routes between Boston Logan (BOS) and New York, Philadelphia (PHL) and Washington National (DCA), JetBlue director of route planning Andrea Lusso told TPG at the World Routes conference in Adelaide, Australia, on Tuesday. Possible offerings include free same-day changes, coffee at the gate, and beer and wine onboard.
Lusso expects a decision on any possible added amenities on shuttle flights in the next few months, he said.
Related: JetBlue 'Committed' to Boston Even as Delta Encroaches
Premium amenities are a legacy offering on shuttle routes in the Northeast. That dates to the days of the Eastern Shuttle, which would keep spare aircraft on the ground at Boston, New York LaGuardia (LGA) and Washington to add a section if more passengers showed up for one of the hourly flights than there were seats.
JetBlue does not market specifically brand any of its routes as "shuttle" service, but it does have several high-frequency routes that go head-to-head with competitors — including the popular shuttle service on two of its rivals.
American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, which operate the two shuttles today, continue to offer free beer and wine on flights. The latter also offers complimentary coffee at the gate and "enhanced snacks" onboard.
This summer, JetBlue boosted frequencies to hourly or near-hourly service from Logan to the three New York airports — John F. Kennedy (JFK), LaGuardia and Newark Liberty (EWR) — and Washington National.
Lusso described the Boston-Washington route as among JetBlue's "best markets" in terms of financial performance.
The carrier added an eighth weekday flight between Boston and Philadelphia earlier in September, according to Diio by Cirium schedules.
JetBlue faces what Lusso described as "changing competitive dynamics" in Boston. Delta Air Lines upgraded the city to a hub in June and airline is now marketing its aim to be the city's "number one global carrier." In keeping with its global ambitions, the SkyTeam Alliance member will add flights to London Gatwick (LGW) and Rome (FCO) from Boston next year.
Related: Can Delta and JetBlue Make Boston the Next Dual-Hub City?
"Boston is actually very well positioned geographically to be a connecting point for US passengers going transatlantic. As we're getting to kind of our maximum capacity at [New York] JFK, using Boston as a secondary transatlantic gateway makes a lot of sense," Delta managing director of domestic network planning Amy Martin said in June.
JetBlue is not backing down from the fight. The airline's president Joanna Geraghty said in July that JetBlue was "committed to winning Boston," citing the added frequencies to cities like New York and Washington, as well as plans to begin flights to London in 2021.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees