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JetBlue appears to eye Lisbon as its next European destination

Nov. 16, 2023
3 min read
JetBlue A321neo-1
JetBlue appears to eye Lisbon as its next European destination
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JetBlue appears to be setting its sights on its next international destination: Lisbon.

A published list from Portugal's slot coordinator showed that the New York-based carrier requested 840 slots at Lisbon Airport (LIS) for summer 2024. However, it is unclear if or when JetBlue's request would be approved.

The summer 2024 travel season extends from March 31 to Oct. 26, and JetBlue's request for 840 slots would translate to two daily takeoffs and two daily landings if approved, according to the aviation-focused Simple Flying website. And it's highly likely if JetBlue were to fly to Lisbon, it would fly to the Portuguese capital from New York and Boston — JetBlue's two gateways for service it already flies to Europe.

JetBlue did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.

The carrier has been ambitious in its transatlantic expansion, adding flights to London, Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin and Edinburgh in the course of two years. If Portugal gives JetBlue the greenlight, Lisbon would become the carrier's sixth European destination.

At the same time, Lisbon's airport is slot-constrained, and so far, JetBlue has not received any slots from the airport, making it unclear if JetBlue will be able to add flights to Lisbon by summer 2024.

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JetBlue's attempted foray into Lisbon is happening as the carrier gained a reprieve for its slots at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) after the Dutch government decided to walk back its controversial plans to cut flight capacity at the airport in order to reduce traffic and pollution. If the Dutch government moved forward with the plan, JetBlue would have lost its slots at Schiphol for summer 2024.

JetBlue lobbied extensively against the proposed flight caps, even asking the U.S. Department of Transportation to ban Dutch carrier KLM from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in response to Schiphol's flight reductions.

But after facing intense pressure from the U.S. and the European Commission, the Dutch government decided to put those plans on pause.

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Featured image by DAVID SLOTNICK/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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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)

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • 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.