If ever there were a time to try something completely crazy in the route planning department, this is it. JetBlue’s new route plan brings the carrier deep into competitor hubs and away from its own as the carrier aims to bring planes and crew back to the skies.
JetBlue
JetBlue plans to outsource airport operations at (more) smaller destinations
The cost cutting continues for airlines. Federal payroll subsidies will end on October 1, 2020, and with that the requirement to keep the current staffing levels. For JetBlue this translates into a decision finalized this week to contract out for staffing at some of its smaller stations. In a letter to airport employees on Tuesday […]
Masks Matter: US carriers plan more enforcement for on-board behavior
For those traveling by air today the best protection against potential COVID-19 exposure is to wear a mask during the flight. But even as some US airlines insist that passengers wear masks, enforcement has been limited and consequences for non-compliance essentially nil. This week several airlines indicated a renewed focus on enforcement of those rules, with violators potentially barred from future flights.
Air travel is bouncing back: Can the trend hold??
The restart is on. While the past few weeks have seen offerings and traffic slowly begin to rise this week the pace is clearly shifting, with the US and Europe hitting a number of milestones.
JetBlue plans return of international markets in June
JetBlue’s international route network virtually disappeared as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rapidly shifting entry requirements and limited demand forced dozens of markets to close. Headed into June, however, the company sees some signs of optimism and opportunity as it anticipates reopening 13 destinations.
JetBlue offers free TrueBlue Mosaic status, plus a year extension
JetBlue waited longer than most to announce plans for its TrueBlue loyalty program in the wake of the coronavirus groundings. But it appears the carrier used that time wisely. With its announcement today JetBlue draws on similar actions from many other carriers but pulls them together in a package that might deliver outsized value to its members.
DOT further relaxes airline CARES Act obligations
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) will offer airlines increased flexibility under their CARES Act obligations. But rather than choosing individual airports that will be exempt the DOT is now going to let the airlines select which stations will see service suspended.
Fighting for the middle: A pandemic seating shift
Forget the fight over who gets the arm rests; middle seats on planes are now generating real fights over if they should be occupied at all. And airlines are fueling the flames with misleading marketing messaging.
JetBlue suspends six cities through June
With approval to reduce service to as many as 16 airports in its network JetBlue is taking a measured approach. The carrier will suspend service to six of these airports beginning next week through the end of June.
JetBlue, Spirit score exemptions to drop service at major US airports
JetBlue and Spirit Airlines received permission to remove as many as 16 destinations from their route US networks and still maintain compliance with the CARES Act. This lets the airlines reduce their service while still remaining eligible for the Payroll Support Program grants that help fund employee costs through 30 September 2020. Both airlines are permitted to halt service to their approved destinations immediately.