London's calling, again: JetBlue launches service to Gatwick tonight for its second UK route
JetBlue launches its inaugural service to London's Gatwick airport tonight, seven weeks after the airline kicked off its long-awaited U.K. service to London's Heathrow airport.
The Gatwick launch comes under very different circumstances to the Heathrow inaugural, which JetBlue hopes will lead to strong demand on both routes.
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The U.K. has been open without quarantine to vaccinated American travelers for nearly two months, and the United States has announced plans to open to vaccinated visitors in November.
Even before launching the flights, JetBlue trimmed back its planned daily service to each airport due to COVID-related demand headwinds.
With both countries reopening, however, the airline hopes that there will be enough demand to drive solid load factors on both routes. The carrier also plans to launch service from Boston to both London airports next year.
As with the Heathrow flight, JetBlue plans to operate the Gatwick service using its Airbus A321LR fleet, equipped with the airline's top-of-the-line Mint Suites and Studios, comparable to what you can find on the airline's Mint-equipped A321neo fleet, just with a larger business class cabin.
In coach, or "Core," the airline will match the Heathrow service with its selection of customized meals created by New York-based restaurant group Dig.
TPG will be aboard the inaugural getting a first-hand look at the service in the back, so be sure to check back for more!
More: Newly minted: Reviewing JetBlue’s brand new business class from London to New York
JetBlue flight 43 from JFK to Gatwick is scheduled to depart at 7:48 p.m., arriving at 7:55 a.m., all times local.
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Why We Chose It
The Citi Premier’s 3 points per dollar spent across a wide range of popular categories is one of the more lucrative offerings in the world of points and miles. The Citi Premier comes with a $95 annual fee and is currently offering a solid sign up bonus of 80,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months. It also has some valuable transfer partners to make the most of your rewards. Add in access to Citi Entertainment plus a $100 hotel credit for any single-stay hotel booking that exceeds $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, booked through the Citi travel website, there are few reasons why the Citi Premier should not be in every traveler’s wallet.Pros
- Earns 3x points on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and hotels.
- $100 annual hotel savings benefit (on single hotel stay bookings of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, booked through thankyou.com)
- Points transfer to 16 airline programs, from JetBlue to Virgin Atlantic.
- World Elite Mastercard benefits, extended warranty, damage and theft protection.
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- Lacks travel protections that other travel rewards cards come with
- For a limited time, earn 80,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Hotels
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
- 80,000 Points are redeemable for $800 in gift cards when redeemed at thankyou.com
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases