JetBlue says likelihood of London Heathrow flights has improved because of pandemic
JetBlue Airways is ready to celebrate the launch of its long-planned flights to London late next year, underscoring its enthusiasm for the route with a new special "streamers" tail for its new Airbus A321LRs that will operated the service.
Those jets are being assembled now in Germany and JetBlue has secured spaced for its new service at its Boston (BOS) and New York John F. Kennedy (JFK) gateway. But one big question remains: what London airport will the airline serve?
“We do think that Heathrow is a good possibility for us," Scott Laurence, JetBlue's head of revenue and planning, told TPG in an exclusive interview on Wednesday. "As we navigate through this crisis, I think there is a better chance that Heathrow will be a JetBlue airport.”
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Laurence's comments came after a report that JetBlue had already secured slots to serve Heathrow (LHR) next year. He denied the report, saying it "surprised" him.
Still, Heathrow is the preferred airport for London-bound travelers. Only about 18 miles from central London — and well connected by Tube and Heathrow Express rail links — the airport is considered more convenient than the city's other airports, including Gatwick (LGW), Luton (LTN) and Stansted (STN). Only London City (LCY) is closer, but flights to the airport are restricted by its short runway.
London Heathrow is also slot-controlled, and those slots are incredibly valuable for the carriers that have them. For example, Air New Zealand sold its two slots at the airport for $27 million in March just before COVID-19 hit. A slot is good for either one takeoff or landing, meaning two slots — or a "slot pair" — allows for one round-trip flight.
Related: JetBlue unveils ‘streamers’ tail for new Airbus jet that will take it to London
However, airlines have cut flights dramatically because of the pandemic — particularly long-haul international flights like JetBlue plans. Rules requiring airlines use slot assets at least 80% of the time have been waived in Europe through March 2021. After that, an incumbent could forfeit slots it is not using to competitors or newcomers like JetBlue.
JetBlue needs at least four slots at any London airport to offer one daily flight to both Boston and New York. It would need additional slot pairs for each added daily flight.
American Airlines and its partner British Airways, and Delta Air Lines and its partner Virgin Atlantic Airways had planned to add flights on both London routes this year to head off JetBlue. The status of these planned additions is up in the air with COVID-related cutbacks and Virgin Atlantic's restructuring.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
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Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
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Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- 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 $80 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. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- 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 up to 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.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees