JetBlue Airways has announced plans to cut unprofitable routes and optimize its aircraft deployment strategy as part of a broader effort to improve financial performance.
The airline will eliminate flights from several cities, including Fort Lauderdale to Jacksonville, New York’s JFK Airport to Austin, Houston, Miami, and Milwaukee, Westchester to Milwaukee, and service to San Jose, California. Additionally, JetBlue will discontinue using Mint business class planes on Seattle routes starting in April.
While the carrier will maintain its Boston to Miami service, it plans to reduce its transatlantic routes, including eliminating its second New York JFK-Paris flight. These changes follow better-than-expected revenue and booking performance in November and December.
CEO Joanna Geraghty and her team are focusing on cost reduction and removing unprofitable routes, particularly on the West Coast. The airline is also managing challenges from Pratt & Whitney engine groundings and post-pandemic market shifts.
JetBlue has committed to customer support during these changes, offering alternative flight options or refunds if no comparable routes exist. The company aims to redeploy resources towards high-demand markets and emerging opportunities.
The aviation community has responded with surprise and mixed opinions to the network cuts. Some have questioned JetBlue’s ability to sustain routes in major markets, while others argue that route optimization is standard practice in the airline industry.
Source: https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2024/12/05/jetblue-cuts-7-transatlantic-routes