Eagerly Anticipated London Flights Connect New
York City with the Largest Market Previously Unserved by
JetBlue
Reimagined Mint® Premium Experience and
Enhanced Core Service Set to Elevate Flying Across the North
Atlantic for Every Customer Onboard
JetBlue Offsetting CO2 Emissions on London
Flights and Partnering with U.K.-Based Non-Profits
JetBlue (NASDAQ: JBLU) – New York’s Hometown Airline® – today
announced it has officially entered the transatlantic market with
new, nonstop service between New York’s John F. Kennedy
International Airport (JFK) and London Heathrow Airport (LHR). The
first customer-carrying JetBlue flight between the U.S. and the
U.K. touched down at Heathrow just before 10 o’clock this morning,
local time. The highly anticipated milestone – aimed at shaking up
the transatlantic market with the airline’s award-winning service
and attractive fares – marks the first time JetBlue has served a
destination beyond the 100+ cities it flies to throughout the
Americas. With new service in the United Kingdom, JetBlue now
operates in 26 countries.
This press release features multimedia. View
the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005444/en/
JetBlue's inaugural flight from New
York-JFK to London Heathrow Airport arrives in the U.K. on August
12, 2021, marking the first-ever transatlantic service by the
U.S.-based travel company. (Photo: Business Wire)
“For the first time in JetBlue’s 21-year history we are crossing
the North Atlantic and competing in one of the busiest travel
markets in the world, well-positioned to introduce our
award-winning service and low fares to a new global audience that
is ready for a fresh choice in transatlantic flying,” said Robin
Hayes, chief executive officer, JetBlue. “With JetBlue now
connecting New York and London, travelers finally have the ability
to enjoy low fares while also experiencing superior service. As the
U.K. opens to travelers coming from America, our flights are well
timed to meet the pent up demand for travel between our two
countries. We look forward to welcoming U.K. travelers to the U.S.
soon and launching service between Boston and London next
year.”
“I want to congratulate JetBlue on its inaugural transatlantic
flight to London and wish all the crew and customers a safe and
pleasant journey,” said Dame Karen Pierce DCMG, U.K. Ambassador to
the U.S. “As vaccinated Americans can now come to the U.K. without
the need to quarantine, this route will offer more Americans a path
to doing business, holidays and family reunions in the U.K. Today's
flight quite literally takes our Special Relationship to new
heights!”
“The JetBlue route launch between New York and London is not
only a most welcomed service to build on the transatlantic market,
but the additional accessibility between the two destinations will
be an essential player in reigniting international travel,” said
Paul Gauger, senior vice president, The Americas, VisitBritain. “It
is no surprise that there is a huge appetite from Americans to
return to Britain, and with the recent announcement regarding the
quarantine lift for double vaccinated Americans, we are ready to
safely welcome them back to experience the bustling city of London
and beyond, from our picturesque villages, breath-taking
countryside and captivating coasts.”
Schedule between New York (JFK) and London
Heathrow (LHR)
JFK - LHR Flight #007
LHR - JFK Flight #20
9:48 p.m. – 10:10 a.m. (+1)
2:05 p.m. – 5:28 p.m.
The Airport
JetBlue’s presence at London Heathrow Airport gives the
U.S.-based travel company visibility at an iconic global hub to
build a new base of travelers in the U.K. and beyond. JetBlue will
operate from Heathrow’s newest terminal – Terminal 2 – which offers
travelers a modern airport experience with access to dozens of
shops and restaurants. Heathrow travelers benefit from a variety of
convenient ground transportation options including the Heathrow
Express and London Underground, which offer rail connections with
Central London.
“JetBlue demonstrates the benefits of greater choice, more
competition between airlines and lower fares that spare capacity at
Heathrow can deliver for passengers, and it’s fantastic to see the
airline’s first European flight touch down today,” said John
Holland-Kaye, chief executive officer, Heathrow Airport. “The
top-quality service and competitive prices JetBlue offers
passengers will be game-changing for the transatlantic market. The
U.K. took the first step to welcome back fully vaccinated US
visitors last week, and we hope these new services and Britain’s
world-leading vaccination programme will encourage the U.S.
Government to do the same in the weeks ahead.”
Flights between New York-JFK and Heathrow operate daily in
August and four times weekly in September on JetBlue’s new Airbus
A321 Long Range (LR) aircraft with 24 redesigned Mint suites, 114
core seats and the sleek and spacious Airspace cabin interior.
The Experience
JetBlue – the sixth largest airline in the U.S. – is known for
having the most legroom in coach (a), live television and on-demand
entertainment on every seatback, free and fast Fly-Fi broadband
internet (b), complimentary snacks and soft drinks and great
customer service. JetBlue’s entrance into the transatlantic market
introduces a new era of customer-focused, low-fare travel for
leisure and business travelers.
The airline’s Mint premium experience – which first raised the
bar on transcontinental travel in the U.S. and has been completely
reimagined for transatlantic flying – promises to offer customers a
fresh choice when flying between the U.S. and the U.K. JetBlue Mint
features 24 fully lie-flat private suites with a sliding door –
including two Mint Studios™ – and a custom-designed seat cushion
developed by innovative mattress company Tuft & Needle. Its
proprietary T&N Adaptive® foam with a breathable cover creates
a cool and comfortable sleep experience unlike anything in the sky.
Mint also boasts countless intuitive design touches that help every
customer feel at home in the air. JetBlue is also introducing its
latest innovation – the stunning Mint Studio – offering even more
space in a premium experience.
JetBlue’s industry-leading core experience has also been
reinvented for crossing the pond and offers a new level of service
to customers who generally fly “coach” but still want a great
experience at an attractive fare. With just 114 core seats –
including 24 Even More® Space Seats – customers enjoy a
boutique-style experience no matter where they sit. All of the
comforts JetBlue customers have come to expect is enhanced by the
recently announced partnership with New York-based restaurant group
Dig to bring its signature build-your-own dining concept to tray
tables at 35,000 feet – JetBlue’s first complimentary meal in core.
Core customers also enjoy a free selection of soft drinks, coffee,
tea, beer, wine and liquor. The A321LR features new extra-large
overhead bins, and all customers regardless of fare type may bring
one carry on, space permitting, and one personal item.
Customers in both core and Mint stay connected throughout the
flight, with JetBlue being the only airline to offer unlimited,
free high-speed wi-fi on all transatlantic flights. Additionally,
customers have access to a curated selection of live TV channels –
focused on news and sports – and an extensive library of seatback
entertainment, allowing customers to have a multiple screen
experience onboard – just like they do at home.
The Aircraft
The A321LR platform – offering the range of a wide-body but with
the economics of a single-aisle aircraft – allows JetBlue to
effectively compete, with award-winning service and low fares on
flights between the U.S. and London. JetBlue converted 13 aircraft
in its existing A321 order book to the LR version in April 2019
with the ability to convert more. Additionally, JetBlue has
converted another 13 aircraft in its existing order book to the
Extra-Long Range – or XLR – version of the A321.
“As we come out of the pandemic and the international market
recovers, the A321LR will position JetBlue to offer long-haul
international travel at the highest level of customer service and
at the lowest cost and risk, said C. Jeffrey Knittel, chairman and
chief executive officer, Airbus Americas. “We are proud to partner
with JetBlue and congratulate them on their vision, consistent
ingenuity and careful attention to detail in delivering an enhanced
transatlantic customer experience that is truly world-class.”
The A321LR allows JetBlue to tap into new long-haul markets,
like London, that were not previously accessible with the airline’s
existing fleet. The LR’s range of up to 4,000 nautical miles is
made possible by three additional center fuel tanks and the
aircraft delivers 30 percent fuel savings and nearly 50 percent
reduction in noise footprint compared to previous generations of
aircraft. JetBlue is also the global launch partner for the new
Airspace by Airbus cabin, bringing long-haul style to the A321 for
the first time ever.
JetBlue’s A321LR is powered by two Pratt & Whitney GTF
engines. The GTF engine, with its revolutionary geared fan
technology, is transforming aviation by delivering game-changing
economic and environmental performance. The Pratt & Whitney GTF
engine also incorporates advances in aerodynamics, lightweight
materials and other major technology improvements.
“Today we celebrate another exciting and historical milestone
between Pratt & Whitney, JetBlue and Airbus,” said Rick
Deurloo, chief commercial officer and senior vice president, Pratt
& Whitney. “The GTF-powered Airbus A321LR aircraft has allowed
JetBlue to open the airline's first transatlantic route with a
modern, single-aisle aircraft, while delivering economic and
environmental value for the company. We’re honored to be a part of
this momentous milestone and we look forward to supporting
JetBlue’s route expansion and their commitment to sustainable
aviation.”
The Environment
JetBlue is committed to finding sustainable solutions that
protect the beauty and vitality of the places it serves. Optimizing
fuel burn is an important part of JetBlue’s sustainability
strategy, and prioritizing fuel-efficient aircraft, engines, and
flying procedures aligns with JetBlue’s approach to reducing
emissions. In 2020, JetBlue became the first major U.S. airline to
achieve carbon neutrality for all domestic flights, and has since
announced its commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
For the launch of U.K. service, JetBlue proudly announces it is
proactively offsetting the CO2 emissions from all JetBlue flights
to and from London throughout 2021. JetBlue is partnering with
long-time partner Carbonfund.org Foundation, a leading US-based
nonprofit climate solutions organization, purchasing high-quality
and third-party verified carbon offsets that support the Envira
Amazonia Tropical Rainforest Conservation Project. JetBlue
recognizes that offsets are a meaningful yet short-term solution
while the industry builds up lower carbon solutions. The airline is
also investing in solutions to reduce direct emissions from
operations, including sustainable aviation fuel, which is already
being used by JetBlue at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
and San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
The Community
JetBlue is partnering with two London-based non-profit
organizations – Inspire! and FareShare – as part of JetBlue For
Good, the airline’s platform for social impact and corporate
responsibility.
Inspire! is a local education charity working in the London
boroughs of Hackney, Camden, Islington and beyond. Their mission is
to improve young people’s access to the world of work, raise
achievement levels and enhance their future career prospects and
lives. Through their World of Work (WOW!) program, JetBlue
crewmembers will have the opportunity to volunteer and share their
career journeys and insight into the field of aviation. FareShare
is the UK’s longest running food redistribution charity. In 2020,
the organization supported 10,542 charities and community groups.
As a result, more than 1.1 million people had access to food.
Giving back is part of JetBlue’s DNA and is core to its mission
of inspiring humanity. JetBlue For Good focuses on the areas that
are most important to the airline’s customers and crewmembers –
community, youth/education and the environment. JetBlue makes its
entrance into new communities known starting on day one. After all
these communities are not only where its crewmembers work – they
live here too. JetBlue is committed to creating a brighter, more
just world that we are all eager, able and empowered to
explore.
The Growth
JetBlue remains on track to add additional service between the
U.S. and the U.K. with flights between New York-JFK and London
Gatwick Airport (LGW) starting September 29, 2021. The airline will
deliver on its commitment to serve multiple London airports and
give customers convenient options – with attractive premium and
leisure fares – across the greater London metropolitan area no
matter which airport they prefer. JetBlue will be the only carrier
to offer service to the U.S. at Gatwick – the U.K.’s second busiest
airport – creating another important presence in London where it
can grow an even larger base of travelers.
London service from Boston, where JetBlue is the leading
airline, is planned to start in summer 2022.
About JetBlue Airways
JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline®, and a leading carrier
in Boston, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Los Angeles, Orlando and San
Juan. JetBlue carries customers across the U.S., Caribbean and
Latin America, and between New York and London. For more
information, visit jetblue.com.
(a)
Based on baseline seat pitch of transatlantic aircraft.
(b)
Fly-Fi® and live television are available
on all JetBlue-operated flights. Availability and coverage area may
vary by aircraft. Details on inflight wi-fi and entertainment:
https://www.jetblue.com/flying-with-us.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210812005444/en/
JetBlue Corporate Communications Tel: +1.718.709.3089
corpcomm@jetblue.com
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