JetBlue temporarily suspends service to 4 more airports, extends hiatus on 4 others
Despite JetBlue's impressive pandemic-era growth plans, it's not all good news for the carrier's route map.
New York-based JetBlue won't resume flights to Baltimore/Washington (BWI), Burbank (BUR), Ontario, Calif. (ONT) or San Jose, Calif. (SJC) until June 2021, according to the latest Cirium schedule data and confirmed by the carrier.
Over the weekend, JetBlue loaded a revised schedule for the first four months of 2021, which included removing all flights from the aforementioned four airports into June.
"Demand for air travel continues to be down dramatically compared to pre-pandemic levels, and cash and job preservation remain a top priority as we work through a challenging recovery. To support our efforts, JetBlue will extend the suspension of service in four cities through June 9," a JetBlue spokesperson said to TPG.
JetBlue also said it would temporarily suspend flights to four more cities — Albuquerque (ABQ); Burlington, Vermont (BTV); Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) and Portland, Oregon (PDX) — for nearly eight weeks. JetBlue's flights to those cities will drop of the schedule on Feb. 11 before returning April 1, according to the carrier.
In late 2020, TPG reported that JetBlue suspended flights to Baltimore and the three secondary California airports until at least April 2021. Now, however, the suspensions are creeping into the latter half of 2021, as the pandemic — and the associated decline in business travel — drags on.
It remains to be seen when — and if — JetBlue eventually returns to these four airports. Before the coronavirus came stateside, the carrier flew multiple routes to these airports, including:
- Boston (BOS) - Baltimore (BWI)
- Boston (BOS) - Burbank (BUR)
- Boston (BOS) - San Jose (SJC)
- New York (JFK) - Burbank (BUR)
- New York (JFK) - Ontario (ONT)
- New York (JFK) - San Jose (SJC)
Monday's news comes as the airline plans to fly 60% fewer flights in February 2021 compared to the year prior, according to Cirium schedules. In addition to the extended suspensions, JetBlue has indefinitely halted flights to Newburgh (SWF) near New York City and Worcester (ORH) near Boston, as first reported by PaxEx.Aero. The airline told TPG on Monday that "reopening dates have not been announced."
For JetBlue, the California suspensions are largely aimed at smaller airports in larger metropolitan areas. In Southern California, JetBlue's newest focus city is in Los Angeles — a move that carrier made as it ended service to nearby Long Beach (LGB) in October. The carrier seems to be doubling down on its presence at uber-competitive LAX by paring down its service to nearby Burbank and Ontario.
As for Baltimore, the airport spokesperson Jonathan Dean told TPG in September that BWI looks forward to "continuing" its relationship with JetBlue when asked when the airport would consider the suspension a cancellation. He added that the airline's sole route, Baltimore-Boston, is popular with business travelers that have yet to return to flying in any significant number.
However, JetBlue has been on the offensive in other parts of the country during the pandemic.
In late December, the carrier announced that it'll soon touch down in four new cities, including Miami, as part of a major 24-route expansion. Aside from expanding in its traditional focus cities — JetBlue resists calling them hubs — the airline also add 15 new point-to-point routes between existing destinations.
The moves are aimed at capturing traffic on routes where people are currently flying. On some routes, that even means competing head-to-head against new newest ally, American Airlines, which has long operated a fortress hub in Miami.
The two carriers jolted the industry in July when they announced a new Northeast-focused alliance that's slated to begin at some point this year.
Additional reporting Edward Russell. Featured photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy
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.