JetBlue’s in-flight crewmembers voted this week to reject their first contract with the carrier. The results were announced in a memo from TWU International Administrative VP and Air Division Director Mike Mayes to the Union members.
JetBlue
JetBlue’s initial London play: Stansted and Gatwick
JetBlue continues to pursue Heathrow as an option for access to the most lucrative London market, but should the carrier launch transatlantic service in Q3 2021 as currently filed it will be to Stansted and Gatwick.
Aer Lingus approved to join Oneworld TATL joint venture
Aer Lingus received tentative approval from the US Department of Transportation on Monday to join the Transatlantic OneWorld Immunized Alliance joint venture. The ruling, pending final approval and a similar order from the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), will allow Aer Lingus to fully participate in the coordination of fares and scheduling with American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Finnair and OpenSkies.
JetBlue to stop blocking seats in January
JetBlue was one of the last carriers to keep seats blocked on board. Headed into the new year, however, that era will come to a close. As of 8 January 2021 all seats on board will be available for sale.
JetBlue’s first A220 emerges with a new tail design
Welcome “Hops” to the JetBlue tail design collection. The new art appeared on the carrier’s first A220-300 as it emerged from the paint shop in Mobile, Alabama this week.
JetBlue extends, reduces blocked seats on board
JetBlue extended its block seating policy on flights through 1 December 2020, adding six additional weeks of limited capacity on all flights. But the carrier is also slightly reducing the number of seats blocked.
JetBlue extends service suspensions at seven cities
With demand still lagging JetBlue will delay the restart of service to seven Blue Cities currently suspended. All seven were previously slated to resume service on 6 November 2020. Four of the airports will now restart in April 2021 and two remain suspended indefinitely. Just one will reopen later this year.
JetBlue’s first Mint A321neo breaks cover
A new JetBlue tailfin emerged at the Airbus final assembly line in Hamburg/Finkenwerder this week raising questions about possible changes on the aircraft interior. PaxEx.Aero can now confirm this will be the first A321neo with a Mint interior for the carrier. Delivery and entry into service are expected to occur before the end of the year.
JetBlue goes hunting for revenue with 24 new winter markets
Why is JetBlue planning two dozen new routes this winter in markets that, a year ago, would have been unthinkable? To quote infamous bank robber Willie Sutton, “Because that’s where the money is.” At least, that’s what JetBlue hopes. Head of Revenue and Planning Scott Laurence explains that the moves “advance our revised network strategy, return more aircraft to the skies and double down on our ability to generate more cash sooner.”
United announces new long-haul routes for 2021
Airline route networks must adapt to shifting demand and long-haul operations are no exception. United Airlines is the latest player to make a move on that front, announcing seven routes today with service slated to launch between December and Summer 2021. The carrier will be reopening some destinations, expanding others and inaugurating a couple of markets never before served.