JetBlue says it’s being ‘locked out’ of London airports, urges UK government to take action
JetBlue hasn’t finalized its long-awaited service to London. In a complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation, JetBlue said that it’s facing “slot uncertainty” in the U.K. and has called on the U.S. government to take “official notice.”
The complaint details that JetBlue is facing difficulties in obtaining slots in London’s airports, even as more airlines pull out of the city’s busiest airports. The airline claims that it’s being “locked out” of London’s airports and has called on the U.K. government to take action.
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“Virgin Atlantic and Norwegian continue to hold their LGW slots even where, as in the case of Virgin Atlantic, there are no firm plans for the carrier to resume service at the airport anytime soon,” JetBlue said in its filing.
JetBlue has identified that it’s had difficulties in securing slots at both Heathrow and additional slots at Gatwick. In November, the carrier secured slots at both Gatwick and London Stansted (STN), but was denied from acquiring any slots at Heathrow.
“At the same time, carriers like JetBlue, poised to enter the transatlantic market and disrupt the status quo and fulfill a crucial need for low-cost carrier transatlantic service, are unable to sufficiently secure LHR slots or consistently timed LGW slots because of the fiction that carriers are going to return to the pre-COVID-19 status quo. They are not, and the U.K. government needs to address this reality immediately.”
The airline has urged the U.K. government to take a similar approach to that of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the U.S. There, the agency has extended slot relief at seven airports in the country whereby carriers are exempt from the typical requirement that they operate at least 80% of their scheduled flights, but the FAA has urged airlines to return slots voluntarily.
Earlier this month, low-cost carrier Norwegian Air announced that it would be suspending the long-haul segment of its business. As a result, it was forced to close its crew bases around the world, including at London Gatwick, where the airline focussed its U.K. operations. But the airline still has its slots at the airport, which it could be planning to use to bolster its short-haul operation.
Related: Norwegian Air to axe long-haul operations in bid to survive
Virgin Atlantic, meanwhile, announced in May 2020 that it would be closing its Gatwick base, focusing instead on Heathrow. However, the airline kept its slots at Gatwick, planning to return to the airport when customer demand rebounds. In both the cases of Norwegian and Virgin Atlantic, JetBlue is urging the U.K. government to take action to free up the slots.
In November, JetBlue secured 14 of the 28 slots it requested at Gatwick, which is enough for the airline to fly one daily service between London and one of its East Coast hub cities of New York (JFK) or Boston (BOS). At Stansted, meanwhile, the airline secured all of the 28 slots that it requested, which are enough to fly two daily return flights between the airport and one of its East Coast hubs.
It’s clear that JetBlue isn’t happy with a solely-Stansted London operation. As the airline looks to launch its London operations, the low-cost carrier that’s famed for its Mint business-class product is looking for more desirable slot options.
The airline is still eyeing a 2021 launch for London flights — although it still hasn’t nailed down to which airport. The airline will operate routes between London and New York (JFK) or Boston (BOS) with one of its Airbus A321LR aircraft.
Related: This is the plane that will take JetBlue too London
With the exit of low-cost carrier Norwegian from the market, JetBlue could have a full opportunity to scoop up leisure demand. The airline will surely be banking on pent-up demanded when the coronavirus pandemic-related travel restrictions ease.
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| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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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)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $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.