JetBlue plots 'opportunistic' growth in Europe as carrier inaugurates new Dublin routes

Editors' note: JetBlue provided TPG with a free one-way business-class ticket for the inaugural Dublin route. All opinions expressed here are the author's own and were not subject to review by JetBlue.

When JetBlue's first aircraft departed for London amid pomp and circumstance in 2021, it was something of a new frontier for the carrier: its first foray across the Atlantic Ocean.

Nearly three years later, the blaring music of U2 inside Terminal 5 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) signaled another milestone for the New York-based carrier — one that was equal parts new and familiar, given the airline's growing transatlantic presence.

The destination for this latest route launch was unmistakable, thanks to the sound of Bono's voice and widespread green attire along the airport concourse. Not to mention, there was celebratory corned beef and Brussels sprouts served gateside to guests.

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Indeed, TPG was there Wednesday night as JetBlue prepared for its first-ever flight from JFK to Dublin International Airport (DUB). Around the same time, some 215 miles northeast, another Dublin-bound JetBlue flight prepared to depart Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).

That the Emerald Isle appeals to JetBlue is obvious. Millions of travelers fly annually between Ireland and the Northeast region of the U.S., where the carrier's presence is most heavily concentrated, JetBlue's top executive said in public remarks at JFK Wednesday.

"With a strong historic connection between Ireland and the United States, specifically our northeast focus cities in New York and Boston, we are going to continue to deliver on the commitment to bring customers to the places that they most want to go," JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty, who just marked one month on the job, said.

Still, for how destination-unique the preflight festivities were — complete with Irish dancers and a confetti-showered ribbon-cutting — the occasion itself was equally reminiscent of similar celebrations JetBlue has thrown in recent years.

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Dublin marks the airline's fourth new European destination launched in just the last three years. Before that, it had never previously flown to the continent.

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"We've proven again and again and again that when given a fair chance to compete, smaller carriers and new entrants generate outsized benefits," Geraghty told the crowd.

JetBlue's growing European route map

Over the next six months, JetBlue will fly more than 267,000 seats to Europe, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.

That's up more than 130% from last year when it launched new nonstops to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS).

Dublin isn't the end of its transatlantic expansion, either.

In May, the carrier will launch a new nonstop route to Edinburgh.

It's the latest chapter in a fast and highly strategic growth across the Atlantic, with each of JetBlue's European flights — there are currently four — originating from its JFK or Boston hubs.

On-board product

On board its single-aisle transatlantic fleet, the airline has combined consistency from one jet and route to another with light refreshes to its soft product.

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Travelers in the 144-seat coach (or "Core") cabin found destination-specific tokens, along with complimentary beer, wine, spirits and Wi-Fi.

When it came to food in Core, JetBlue offered curated meals from New York-based Dig! as it has on its past transatlantic routes. A key difference in the main cabin on this flight, though: The meals are chilled instead of hot. This change is a function of JetBlue operating an Airbus A321neo on the route, instead of the A321LR (Long Range) it has operated on all of its other European flights to this point.

Mint

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Those of us in the premium Mint cabin (with 16 lie-flat pods) were among the first travelers — inflight travelers, at least — to experience all-new amenity kits. They feature a new assortment of products that are JetBlue's latest collaborations with New York City-based brands; TPG's Zach Griff got a sneak-peak at the refreshed kits last week.

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At dinnertime, JetBlue — as has been the case consistently — impressed with a kale Caesar salad, burrata and spinach lasagna. (Chicken cacciatore was the other option.)

Its latest menu features selections from Hudson Yards eatery Legacy Records.

The cabin crew was well-versed in the wine selections, which spanned different regions of the world.

The Mint suites themselves are familiar to any traveler who's flown JetBlue to Europe in the past. The fact that this plane would be landing in Dublin was reason enough for Keith Anderson to make the trek to the U.S. for the sole purpose of joining this inaugural flight.

Anderson, who's originally from Belfast and lives in Northern Ireland, is CEO of Thompson Aero Seating, which designed JetBlue's Mint pods.

"We're all very proud back home," Anderson told TPG. "What JetBlue has done with it is outstanding. We love just how cool and funky it is, it means a lot."

A busy summer in Dublin, Edinburgh

JetBlue will have plenty of company in Dublin this summer, to be sure.

Over a six-month period between March and August, airlines will fly from the U.S. to the Irish capital with 11% more seats than that same period in 2023, according to Cirium data.

JetBlue's arrival in the market is a big part of that, of course. But Delta Air Lines is also scaling up its Dublin service by 21% over last year. American Airlines is growing in Dublin by 16%, year-over-year.

JetBlue will help fuel even faster-paced growth to Edinburgh International Airport (EDI) when it launches service to the Scottish capital on May 22.

Seats from the U.S. to Edinburgh will be up nearly 15% versus 2023 between March and August. They'll be up by close to 50% compared with pre-pandemic 2019.

A more 'opportunistic' approach to Europe

For its part, JetBlue is taking a slightly more measured approach in both Dublin and Edinburgh.

Unlike its year-round service in London, Paris and Amsterdam, its Dublin and Edinburgh routes will both be seasonal; daily service will last through Sept. 30.

After rapid expansion to some of Europe's most popular cities — at least those reachable with JetBlue's narrow-body fleet of aircraft — that more strategic approach might be more common, looking forward.

Speaking Tuesday at the JP Morgan Industrials Conference, Geraghty noted the airline would be "much more opportunistic" with any future European expansion, having "cycled through" launches to what the carrier sees as the most obvious transatlantic routes.

Does that mean JetBlue's European growth will be slower in the future?

"I think if you look at Dublin and Scotland specifically, we saw an opportunity to do seasonal service there which is great, taking advantage of summer tourism. We're looking for more opportunities like that," Geraghty said in a one-on-one interview with TPG Wednesday. "Scale in Paris and London has been important for us. And then I think it's a lot of opportunistic flying as it comes up for JetBlue."

Arrival in Dublin

A warm croissant, cheese plate and an iced Americano coincided with sunrise as Flight 841 landed in Ireland. It touched down to cabin-wide applause at 7:26 a.m. local time after around six hours and 23 minutes of flight time.

As the aircraft pulled up to the gate alongside the already-arrived flight from Boston, the moment was not lost on passengers. After all, the flight arrived in Dublin just three days before one of the city's most iconic holidays.

Passenger Teresa Russell of Maryland booked her flight to Dublin specifically to celebrate March 17 in the Irish capital — not knowing she'd find her way into some airline history.

"It's my birthday on St. Patrick's day, so I was like, 'Let's go to Dublin!'" Russell said. "I didn't even know it was JetBlue's first flight. That's awesome."

Flight Deals to Dublin available

Travelers hoping to take part in one of JetBlue's early flights to Dublin may want to act quickly. Through Friday, round trips to Dublin in Core are on sale for $399 from Boston and $499 from JFK.

Mint seats to Dublin are on sale, too, for $1,999 round-trip from Boston and $2,499 from New York.

The sale applies to travel between March 19 and May 8, with a three-day advance purchase required.

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