Facing a revenue drop measured in billions of dollars for 2021 JetBlue is planning major budget cuts. First tipped last week, further details are now emerging on what will be changing for the company.
JetBlue
JetBlue plans additional spending cuts, debt raises into 2021
JetBlue expects new and extended spending cuts as well as increased debt headed in to 2021 as its recovery remains “volatile” and Thanksgiving came up short of targets.
JetBlue flight attendants reject Tentative Agreement
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’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.