JetBlue adds 3 new NYC-area routes as Northeast Alliance hangs in the balance
JetBlue Airways is growing its presence in its hometown.
The New York-based carrier announced on Wednesday that it's adding service in the following three markets:
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
- Westchester County Airport (HPN) and Charleston International Airport (CHS).
- HPN and Martha's Vineyard Airport (MVY).
Both new Westchester flights will operate seasonally on a daily basis beginning on May 25, while the new route from JFK to DCA will operate three times daily beginning on June 15.
Service to Martha's Vineyard and to Charleston ends on Oct. 10 and Oct. 29, respectively.
JetBlue will deploy a 100-seat Embraer E190 to both Martha's Vineyard and Washington, D.C., and a 162-seat Airbus A320 to Charleston.
It's worth noting that while the aforementioned markets are all new for JetBlue, the 213-mile connection from New York to Washington is already operated by the airline's partner in the Northeast, American Airlines.
American confirmed to TPG that it'll continue to fly three daily flights between JFK and DCA, meaning that JetBlue's service is additive, as the two airlines go up against Delta's five daily frequencies between the two airports.
American and JetBlue have teamed in Boston and New York as part of the so-called Northeast Alliance to launch a slew of new flights, add additional frequencies on existing routes and offer reciprocal frequent flyer benefits and points earning and redemption opportunities for travelers.
While the Northeast Alliance has helped the two airlines become a unified competitor against Delta and United — the two biggest carriers in the region — the pact has been deemed anti-competitive by the Department of Justice, which sued the airlines on anti-trust grounds.
Despite the ongoing legal drama (there's no telling yet when the ruling will be announced), JetBlue seems undeterred by the pending lawsuit and continues charting growth for the Northeast Alliance.
In fact, it's likely no coincidence that the airline asked Congressman Gregory Meeks, who represents the fifth district of New York, to comment on the new route to the nation's capital.
"As a very frequent flyer from JFK in New York’s 5th Congressional District to our nation’s capital, I am excited to see new low-fare competition on this route... I look forward to even more growth with this long-sought addition to their network," Meeks said in his overwhelmingly positive statement.
On the other hand, JetBlue's new flights from Westchester County come as the airport, which has an affluent catchment area, has seen impressive growth headlined by new airline startup Breeze Airways.
Breeze launched year-round flights in June 2022 between Westchester and Charleston, and now JetBlue seemingly feels the need to compete against the startup that — somewhat ironically — was founded by the same person who started JetBlue, David Neeleman.
Meanwhile, JetBlue won't have any traditional competitors on the Westchester to Martha's Vineyard route.
Tradewind Aviation runs scheduled seasonal flights between the two airports, but the carrier flies small Pilatus PC-12 turboprops up to 15 times a day for commuters. Tradewind operates from private terminals with scheduled service starting at $730 per person, per flight.
To make the announcement even splashier, JetBlue is entering all three new markets with some catchy intro fares of $59 each way.
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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. |
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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.