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News
JetBlue wins Spirit's LaGuardia slots, eyes historic Marine Air Terminal
Sean Cudahy is an aviation reporter covering news about airlines, frequent flyer programs and consumer travel issues.
July 21, 2026 • 7 min read
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Quick summary
JetBlue is set to acquire additional takeoff and landing rights at LaGuardia Airport, previously held by Spirit Airlines, potentially enabling up to 12 more daily roundtrips.
The airline is interested in relocating its operations to the historic Marine Air Terminal (Terminal A), which has been unused since Spirit ceased operations in May.
Operating from Terminal A could provide significant cost savings for JetBlue, supporting its expansion at LaGuardia.
If approved, JetBlue's expansion at LaGuardia is expected to begin in 2027, with a likely focus on routes to Florida and possibly upstate New York.
What to consider
JetBlue's move to Terminal A requires court and regulatory approval before new routes can be launched.
The Marine Air Terminal is slated for renovations, which may affect the timeline and passenger experience.
Current plans for route expansion are under evaluation, with a focus on maintaining a strong presence in key markets.
What you'll miss from the article
Details on how JetBlue's potential move could reshape its loyalty program strategy and impact the overall travel experience at LaGuardia.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
And it’s eyeing the Spirit's former home in the historic Marine Air Terminal.
JetBlue this week confirmed it won coveted takeoff and landing rights at LGA, which could allow the airline to operate up to 12 additional daily roundtrips from the airport.
JetBlue will still need court and regulatory approval before it can start adding routes from LaGuardia.
But the New York-based airline already has its eyes on different gate space.
A JetBlue spokesperson on Tuesday said the airline had expressed interest in moving to LGA's Terminal A, the historic Marine Air Terminal that dates back to 1940 and the age of Pan Am’s Flying Boats.
UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY/PHOTOQUEST VIA GETTY IMAGES
The terminal currently has no commercial service, since Spirit had been the lone airline there before it ceased operations on May 2.
A 'JetBlue terminal' at LaGuardia?
Moving to the Marine Air Terminal would certainly mean a more no-frills experience for JetBlue flyers at LaGuardia.
The airline currently operates out of the far larger and more modern Terminal B which, among other things, is home to both an American Express Centurion Lounge and one of Chase's Sapphire Lounges.
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Terminal B at New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA). TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
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Spirit Airlines passengers at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) Terminal A in 2024. ANGUS MORDANT/BLOOMBERG VIA GETTY IMAGES
A way to save money
But operating out of Terminal A, JetBlue said, would bring it "much-needed cost savings" to support its expansion at the airport.
High costs at LaGuardia had been a key factor JetBlue cited as it pulled back from the airport in recent years, and opted to focus most of its New York operation on its John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) home base.
Today, the carrier flies just four routes from the airport (to Nantucket, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and to West Palm Beach, Fla.)
Below is the airline's route map as of this month; swipe to see what it looked like four years ago, in July 2022, when JetBlue was still at the height of its former Northeast Alliance with American Airlines.
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JetBlue route map from LaGuardia Airport (LGA) as of July 2026. CIRIUM
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JetBlue route map from LaGuardia Airport (LGA) as of July 2022. CIRIUM
A 'JetBlue terminal' at LGA?
If JetBlue were to take up residence in LGA's Marine Air Terminal, the airline could effectively create a “JetBlue terminal” for itself at LaGuardia, industry analyst Robert Mann said.
That's key as the airline works to fortify its base of TrueBlue loyalty members in its home market.
“It is a relatively low-cost facility,” Mann said. “It’s a way of staying at LaGuardia, which is a preferred airport. And it’s a way of making the credit card portfolio perform by having operations at both Kennedy and LaGuardia.”
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates LGA, would loom large in any JetBlue move to Terminal A. The facility, by the way, is slated for renovations on its 1980s-era concourse and gate area (the facility's 86-year-old rotunda is landmarked).
2027 expansion expected
Assuming legal and regulatory approvals happen, JetBlue said it hopes to begin its LaGuardia expansion in 2027.
Where might it fly, with these new takeoff and landing rights? A spokesperson told TPG it’s “currently evaluating how best to utilize” its newly-acquired slots.
Mann, for his part, expects more of JetBlue’s classic, bread-and-butter routes.
“I think it’s Florida, more or less,” he said. “It’s possible they do some upper New York State … western New York, Albany, that sort of thing.”
JetBlue planes at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Bottom line
LaGuardia isn’t the first airport where JetBlue is vying for former customers (and gate space) vacated by Spirit.
Over the past year, the carrier has moved to become the top carrier at Spirit’s former Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) home base — an airport it’s characterized as the “third tentpole” of its network, alongside JFK and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
