JetBlue Seeks to Fly Twice Daily Capital-to-Capital Service Between San Juan, Puerto Rico and Washington's Reagan National Airport

Rhea-AI Summary

JetBlue (Nasdaq: JBLU) has announced plans to apply for U.S. Department of Transportation slot exemptions to introduce a second daily nonstop flight between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The move follows the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2024, which allows for five additional roundtrip flights at DCA. This expansion aims to strengthen JetBlue's commitment to Puerto Rico, enhance connectivity, and support further routes to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Since 2002, JetBlue has grown its presence in Puerto Rico and currently employs over 370 crew members across the island, operating flights to 18 destinations from three airports by the end of 2024.

Positive

• JetBlue plans to apply for slot exemptions to introduce a second daily nonstop flight between DCA and SJU.
• The Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2024 allows five additional roundtrip flights at DCA.
• This expansion aims to strengthen JetBlue's commitment to Puerto Rico and enhance connectivity.
• JetBlue has grown its presence in Puerto Rico, currently employing over 370 crew members.
• By the end of 2024, JetBlue will operate flights to 18 destinations from three airports in Puerto Rico.

Negative

• None.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- JetBlue (Nasdaq: JBLU) today announced it intends to apply with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for slot exemptions to operate a second daily low fare nonstop flight between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The recently enacted Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2024 authorizes slot exemptions for five additional roundtrip flights at DCA beyond the airport’s 1,250-mile perimeter. JetBlue has operated the only daily nonstop service between DCA and SJU since the DOT awarded slot exemptions to the airline in 2012. Adding a second daily flight on this popular route underscores JetBlue's longstanding commitment to Puerto Rico and will provide additional easy capital-to-capital service in both directions.

This application is part of JetBlue's broader initiative to increase connectivity to and from Puerto Rico, including adding more domestic and international destinations, introducing the airline’s popular Mint premium service between New York and San Juan, and establishing a pilot and flight attendant crew base in San Juan. Additionally, adding a second daily flight on the route would support further connectivity to the U.S. Virgin Islands, including both St. Thomas and new service to St. Croix set to launch in December, as well as to additional destinations in the region.

“JetBlue looks forward to submitting our application to enhance the connection between Reagan National and our focus city, San Juan, with convenient double-daily low fare roundtrip flights between the two capitals,” said Robert Land, JetBlue’s head of government affairs and associate general counsel. “Puerto Rico, known as ‘La Isla del Encanto,’ relies on air service to maintain and enhance its connection with the mainland United States, and to Washington, D.C. in particular.”

Since becoming a part of the Puerto Rico community in 2002, the airline’s much-loved low fares and customer experience quickly positioned JetBlue as a preferred carrier on the island. JetBlue today employs more than 370 crewmembers across Puerto Rico – and growing. JetBlue also provides service at Aguadilla and Ponce, and with future announced service in San Juan, it will operate flights to 18 different nonstop destinations from the three airports it serves on the island by the end of 2024. The airline will average 46 departures per day from Puerto Rico this upcoming winter, more than any other airline.

About JetBlue

JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline®, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Los Angeles, Orlando and San Juan. JetBlue, known for its low fares and great service, carries customers to more than 100 destinations throughout the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada and Europe. For more information and the best fares, visit jetblue.com.

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JetBlue Corporate Communications

Tel: +1.718.709.3089

corpcomm@jetblue.com

Source: JetBlue

FAQ

What recent announcement did JetBlue make regarding flights between San Juan and Washington's Reagan National Airport?

JetBlue announced plans to apply for slot exemptions to introduce a second daily nonstop flight between San Juan (SJU) and Washington's Reagan National Airport (DCA).

What is the purpose of JetBlue's application for slot exemptions at DCA?

JetBlue aims to enhance connectivity and introduce a second daily nonstop flight between DCA and SJU.

When was the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act that allows additional flights at DCA enacted?

The Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act was enacted in 2024.

How many crew members does JetBlue currently employ across Puerto Rico?

JetBlue currently employs over 370 crew members across Puerto Rico.

How many destinations will JetBlue serve from Puerto Rico by the end of 2024?

JetBlue will serve 18 destinations from Puerto Rico by the end of 2024.

What additional destinations will the new flight between DCA and SJU support?

The new flight will support further connectivity to the U.S. Virgin Islands, including St. Thomas and St. Croix, as well as additional regional destinations.

What is the stock symbol for JetBlue?

The stock symbol for JetBlue is JBLU.