JetBlue already expanding in Miami, takes on American with new Northeast route
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
JetBlue just started flying to its third South Florida city in February.
Less than a month since launching Miami flights, the New York-based carrier is back with more. Beginning on June 24, JetBlue will fly between Hartford (BDL) and Miami (MIA) with once-daily flights from the Connecticut capital.
The new Hartford flight, operated by an Airbus A320, will bring JetBlue’s Miami route total to five, joining existing service to New York-JFK, Newark (EWR), Boston (BOS) and Los Angeles (LAX).
Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG’s free new biweekly Aviation newsletter!
The move comes on the heels of JetBlue’s new partnership with American Airlines. The two carriers entered into the Northeast alliance on Feb. 25, offering flyers 80 new codeshare routes, including many between Boston and the New York City area and South Florida.
While the airlines are friends up north, the heat is on down south.
American Airlines has historically operated a fortress hub in Miami, including multiple daily frequencies to all five of JetBlue’s Miami destinations.
Related: Everything you need to know about the American Airlines-JetBlue alliance
By adding Hartford’s Bradley International Airport, JetBlue seems to be showing it’s serious about Miami. Plus, JetBlue likely wants to remain relevant in South Florida, where it already operates a hub in Fort Lauderdale and another large outstation in West Palm Beach.
Adding more Miami flights also staves off some of Delta’s ambitions to grow service to the city. In 2019, the Atlanta-based carrier took a 20% stake in LATAM, designed to bolster the Delta’s presence in Latin and South America. Despite the pandemic, Delta still plans to turn Miami into a “gateway hub.”
Related: Delta and LATAM promise 9 new routes post-coronavirus
JetBlue’s new route isn’t just about bolstering Miami. It also strengthens its position in Hartford, where JetBlue is the largest carrier both in the city and in the state of Connecticut.
In recent months, JetBlue has added four point-to-point flights from Hartford to Cancun (CUN), Las Vegas (LAS), Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco, joining the carrier’s six existing routes from BDL.
By adding Miami to the mix, JetBlue wants to be at the forefront of the city’s pandemic recovery.
“We appreciate Governor Lamont’s leadership and focus on safely driving Connecticut’s recovery to benefit residents and visitors to the Nutmeg State,” Scott Laurence, JetBlue’s head of revenue and planning said in a statement.
Featured photo by Alberto Riva/The Points Guy
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 90,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership. Offer ends 11/10/2021.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer expires 11/10/2021.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.