JetBlue has announced that it has received the necessary slots and approval to continue operating its flights from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) through the fall of 2022. It has thus extended its schedule of flights through October 2022 and hopes to keep the route in its network for good.
JetBlue extends the schedule for JFK-LHR
JetBlue has extended its schedule between JFK and LHR through October 2022. The airline put them on sale after receiving guarantees to continue operating its daily service between JFK and LHR through October 31, 2022. Flights operate with the following schedule (all times are local):
- Flight 007 departs JFK at 21:38 and arrives the next day in LHR at 10:05
- Flight 20 departs LHR at 14:00 and arrives the same day in JFK at 17:08
Robin Hayes, CEO of JetBlue, stated the following on the schedule extension:
“The response on both sides of the Atlantic has been overwhelmingly positive, and it’s now widely recognized that losing JetBlue on this route would be a major setback for travelers who enjoy low fares and great service. “We are committed to collaborating with regulators as well as the U.S. and U.K. governments to identify a pathway to staying at Heathrow for the long-term. There’s so much more good we can do as we grow this route if we are allowed to stay and compete.”
JetBlue looks to stick around
When JetBlue first launched service between JFK and LHR in August 2021, it did so after temporary slots became available as major airlines operating to and from Heathrow pulled back their schedules during the crisis. The airline has since worked to keep its position in the marketplace and has worked with local authorities to shore up its position.
JetBlue has made a case for staying in the marketplace due to its product and impact in the market. JetBlue saw an opportunity to enter the marketplace to offer better fares, including better premium travel opportunities. Since launching in August, JetBlue claims it has reduced premium fares by up to 50%.
Alongside coming to London, JetBlue debuted a brand new business class product. The evolution of its popular Mint business class has found itself operating between New York and London. JetBlue’s Airbus A321LRs feature 24 fully lie-flat private suites with a sliding door. This includes two Mint Studio seats, which are larger and offer room for a companion to join.
In addition, JetBlue has also looked to improve the economy class experience between New York and London. With 114 economy seats, branded as “Core” at JetBlue, including 24 extra-legroom economy seats, JetBlue is offering a more personalized dining experience in partnership with New York-based Dig with a build-your-own dining concept.
All customers can also access on-demand entertainment via seatback screens. If that is not of interest, JetBlue also offers unlimited, free high-speed WiFi on all flights between New York and London.
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JetBlue keeps its eyes trained on London
JetBlue operates flights from New York to both Heathrow and London Gatwick Airport (LGW). In summer 2022, JetBlue remains keen on launching flights to London from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). It has not yet released a schedule or which airport in London it will be serving.
It has been a long road for JetBlue to get into London. The airline has made it known publicly that it faced plenty of difficulties gaining slots in the crowded London market. However, the crisis offered an opportunity for JetBlue to get in. The question now is how JetBlue can get a pathway to stay in Heathrow long-term. JetBlue believes it would be advantageous for the competitive environment if the airline retains its LHR operations, but getting permanent slots could be difficult. Pre-crisis, it was not surprising to see slots at Heathrow go up for sale for tens of millions of dollars. Nevertheless, JetBlue remains persistent in its pursuit to stay at Heathrow and become a more significant force in the transatlantic market.
