JetBlue has revealed that it will expand its network with a new service connecting New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, beginning in late summer 2023. Additionally, the low-cost airline will add flights between Boston and Amsterdam, although the exact launch date is still unknown.
The new Amsterdam flights will be available daily on Airbus A321 LR aircraft, which can fly farther and longer than previous models. They will feature 24 Mint seats, JetBlue’s version of business class with lie-flat seats, as well as 114 economy seats.
JetBlue’s signature features, such as the most legroom in coach, seatback screens with live and on-demand TV and entertainment, free Wi-Fi, snacks, and beverages, are also part of the flying experience.
JetBlue President Robin Hayes and COO Joanna Geraghty have expressed a desire to provide customers in constrained, slot-controlled airports with a better travel experience at low fares.
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New JetBlue Flights Offer Low Fares To Europe
The new low-fare flights to Amsterdam will go on sale in the coming weeks, according to JetBlue. The airline previously announced its plans to expand its network in March. The airline also opened bookings for new flights from New York to Paris, offering starting rates of $479 round-trip.
Hayes and Geraghty expressed the airlines’ interest in serving customers in these communities with a better experience at low fares.
JetBlue CEO Says “Big Three” Are Exploiting Customers
Hayes recently accused the “big three” U.S. airlines of imposing expensive fares and mediocre service through their joint ventures with European airlines.
“This route is long overdue for some competition,” said Robin Hayes, chief executive officer of JetBlue in the statement. “For too long the U.S. legacy carriers, backed by their joint ventures with other global airlines that enjoy immunity from antitrust laws, have locked customers in with very expensive fares and mediocre service. Just like we’re doing in London and Paris, we will bring fares down and improve the experience for customers flying between the U.S. and Amsterdam.”
These airline partnerships were established to provide more seamless connections between the continents.
American Airlines partners with British Airways. Delta Air Lines partners with Air France, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic. Similarly, United Airlines partners with Lufthansa, Austrian, and TAP Air Portugal.
In response, JetBlue has been increasing its efforts to compete with them through its expanding transatlantic service. This includes new flights between New York and Paris (CDG), followed by nonstop service between Boston Logan International (BOS) and CDG.
JetBlue’s entrance into the transatlantic market began in August 2021 when it secured slots at London Heathrow. The slots had temporarily become available due to the pandemic. The airline later received permission to make the slots more permanent.
As of October 2021, JetBlue operates three daily trips between New York and London, with two flights to Gatwick and one to Heathrow. JetBlue also started flights between Boston and Gatwick in August 2021, followed by Boston to Heathrow in September.