JetBlue Makes Route Changes, Places Emphasis on 'Focus Cities'
JetBlue is making big changes to its route network. The New York-based airline announced on Tuesday that it's shifting its strategy to double its efforts in focus cities.
The biggest announcement comes in the form of a new city entirely — Guayaquil, Ecuador (GYE). Beginning in the first quarter of 2019, JetBlue will launch daily nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and GYE using Airbus A320 aircraft.
Adding service in Ecuador, where it already serves Quito (UIO), the airline is placing an emphasis both on its presence in FLL, where it's the leading carrier, but also in Latin America. JetBlue now operates in 22 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
In addition to the new Latin America route, JetBlue is connecting several of its focus cities with other destinations. The following routes will be added to the route network, beginning this winter with daily service:
- Boston (BOS) ⇒ Rochester (ROC)
- Fort Lauderdale (FLL) ⇒ Phoenix (PHX)
- Fort Lauderdale (FLL) ⇒ St. Maarten (SXM)
- Providence (PVD) ⇒ Palm Beach (PBI)
JetBlue is also shifting some routes and frequencies — including most from BOS and FLL.
As with many service additions from airlines, there are some subtractions to go with it. With Tuesday's announcement of expanded service, the airline also detailed plans that as of Jan. 8, 2019, it will eliminate the following routes:
- Daytona Beach (DAB) ⇒ New York (JFK) — daily
- St. Croix (STX) ⇒ San Juan (SJU) — daily
- Washington Dulles (IAD) ⇒ New York (JFK) — daily
- Washington Dulles (IAD) ⇒ Boston (BOS) — daily
JetBlue will also scale back on some frequencies that it says are underperforming. The airline says that "certain flights servicing Baltimore, Detroit, Pittsburgh and Santiago, Dominican Republic" will see a reduction, as well as flights between Mexico City and FLL and Orlando (MCO). Finally, JetBlue's daily year-round service between JFK and Portland, Maine (PWM) will be reduced to daily seasonal service — ending Jan. 7, 2019, for the winter season and resuming in spring 2019.
These route additions and changes come just a few weeks after JetBlue announced that it would be introducing a new basic economy fare class in 2019.
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app