JetBlue is on the move. The New York based carrier announced today some large scale updates to the airlines route network. JetBlue is adding six new routes from their San Juan focus city, three new Mint routes, and service to three new Caribbean destinations.
San Juan Expansion
The largest of the three network updates is in San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU). The airport has long been a focus city for the airline and the press release refers to San Juan as “one of JetBlue’s most successful focus cities”.
In addition to the new routes, the airline is also introducing their premium Mint service to the island via a daily flight to New York-JFK (JFK). Mint service offers lie-flat seats and premium dining. The lie-flat seating should make JetBlue the leader on this route for premium travelers. JetBlue’s premium competition on the route, Delta, operates the route with Airbus A321neo aircraft featuring standard, recliner style seats in First Class.
The six new destinations being added are outlined below and will operate with the following frequencies:
- Cancun, Mexico (CUN): 3x Weekly
- Medellin, Colombia (MDE): 4x Weekly
- Providence, RI (PVD): 1x Daily
- St. Croix, USVI (STX): 1x Daily
- Santiago, Dominican Republic (STI): 1x Daily
- Westchester County, NY (HPN): 1x Daily
These flights are currently available for purchase on JetBlue.com. With the exception of St. Croix (which will begin in December), all flights are scheduled to begin operating at the end of October.
JetBlue President (and active Twitter user) Marty St. George had this to say about the expansion:
“JetBlue has been a proud part of the Puerto Rican community for over twenty years, and we’re excited to deepen our roots with this expansion. Our decades-long history with this vibrant community drives our enthusiasm to not only increase our service but also to strengthen our relationships and presence in the region. We are excited to continue growing alongside the Puerto Rican community, ensuring that JetBlue remains a key partner in connecting the people of Puerto Rico.”
Marty St. George, President
With the new flights, JetBlue will operate from Puerto Rico to 18 different destinations.
More Mint in Phoenix
In addition to new Mint service to San Juan, JetBlue is upgrading flights to Phoenix (PHX), Las Vegas (LAS) and Vancouver (YVR). The biggest winner here is Phoenix. During the winter season all of JetBlue’s flights to and from the airport will be on Mint equipped aircraft.
The airline is doubling service to New York-JFK and Boston, operating 2x daily, as well as adding 1x daily seasonal service to Ft. Lauderdale. This will give Phoenix nonstop service to all of JetBlue’s East Coast focus cities.
While Phoenix is seeing the greatest expansion, San Juan and Vancouver will also see daily, year round Mint service from New York-JFK. Las Vegas also gets additional, seasonal Mint flights with 2x daily from Ft. Lauderdale this winter.
Three New Caribbean Destinations
As mentioned above, JetBlue is adding flights between San Juan and St. Croix. This marks a resumption in service as the airline last served the island from 2011 to 2019. This flight will operate daily beginning December 12th, 2024.
In addition to St. Croix, flights to St. Vincent (SVD) and Bonaire (BON) are also being added from New York-JFK. These flights have not yet gone on sale and frequencies and timing will be announced at a later date.
Summary
JetBlue is redeploying capacity due to the collapse of the Northeast Alliance with American Airlines and refocusing flying on leisure and VFR routes as the carrier looks to return to profitability. The airline is betting that the new routes, destinations and premium Mint service will strengthen their role as a leisure carrier.
To celebrate this announcement, seats are available for a limited time at discounted fares on these new routes. Starting at $29 between San Juan and St. Croix. The full release with flight times and blackout dates can be found here.
