Vamo’ Arriba: JetBlue Launches Contest to Select New Livery Celebrating Puerto Rico

Rhea-AI Summary

JetBlue (JBLU), Puerto Rico's largest airline, has launched a contest for a new aircraft livery design celebrating Puerto Rican culture. Three local artists - Elizabeth Barreto, Juan Gutierrez, and Natalia Nicole - have created distinctive designs for an Airbus A320, with public voting open through March 11. The winning design will be unveiled in March and take flight this summer.

This initiative marks JetBlue's second Puerto Rico-dedicated livery, following the 2018 'Bluericua' plane. The project coincides with JetBlue's expanding presence in Puerto Rico, including the December 2024 opening of its first crew base outside the continental U.S. in San Juan, starting with inflight crewmembers and expecting pilots to join in spring.

JetBlue currently operates services from San Juan, Aguadilla, and Ponce, with recent network expansions connecting Puerto Rico to mainland cities and the Caribbean.

Positive

• First crew base outside continental U.S. opened in San Juan
• Network expansion connecting Puerto Rico to mainland cities and Caribbean
• Service expansion across three Puerto Rican cities

Negative

• None.

JetBlue partners with Puerto Rican artists to showcase the vibrant culture of ‘La Isla Del Encanto’ through a special aircraft livery design

Voting is open now through March 1; winning design to be unveiled this summer

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- JetBlue (Nasdaq: JBLU), Puerto Rico’s largest airline, is turning up the sazón with a brand-new initiative celebrating the island’s vibrant culture and heritage. JetBlue is launching a contest to create a stunning new aircraft livery inspired by Puerto Rico, designed in collaboration with three talented Puerto Rican artists. The winning design will proudly take flight on a JetBlue Airbus A320 later this summer, bringing Boricua flair to the skies. This marks JetBlue’s second Puerto Rico-dedicated livery, following the debut of a plane named Bluericua back in 2018.

Each of the three renowned artists has created a distinctive design that reflects Puerto Rico, and now, the public is invited to help select the winning look. Voting is open now through March 1¹, giving customers and fans the opportunity to play a role in bringing this special livery to life. The final design will be unveiled in March before taking to the skies as JetBlue’s latest flying work of art this summer.

"Puerto Rico has been a part of JetBlue’s story for more than 20 years, and we are proud to showcase the island’s beauty and spirit, as well as some of its outstanding artists through this new livery search,” said Jayne O’Brien, head of marketing and customer support, JetBlue. “We take pride in connecting our customers to and from Puerto Rico, but most importantly, in celebrating the people who make the island so special. This livery represents more than just a beautiful design—it’s a tribute to the island’s resilience, creativity, and rich culture. We wish we could pick all three, but we’re excited to see which design resonates most with the public and can’t wait to bring it to life.”

“We appreciate JetBlue’s continued commitment to Puerto Rico, now dedicating a second aircraft to showcase our Island’s distinctive heritage,” said Jenniffer González, governor of Puerto Rico. “This initiative not only strengthens our long-time partnership with the airline, but also provides an incredible platform for our talented artists. We encourage everyone to participate and vote to help select a design that will proudly represent our culture in the skies.” 

“We are excited to support this effort, which celebrates Puerto Rico’s cultural richness and artistic talent,” said Willianette Robles, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. “Showcasing our Island on another JetBlue aircraft will enhance our visibility in other markets, reinforcing our identity as a top destination in the Caribbean. This is a unique opportunity to promote creativity while sharing our story with travelers everywhere.”

To vote for your favorite design and learn more about the artists behind the concepts, visit https://vamoarribajetblue.com/en.

Meet the Artists

JetBlue is honored to collaborate with three distinguished Puerto Rican artists for this initiative. Each artist brings a unique perspective and artistic style that reflects the spirit and heritage of Puerto Rico. Each has been compensated for their time.

• Elizabeth Barreto: Drawing from pop culture and her signature portrait and illustration style, visual artist Elizabeth Barreto creates a vibrant tribute to Puerto Rico. Her design captures the island’s beauty by day and night—celebrating the beaches, the lively nighttime rhythm, and the coquí's iconic song.
• Juan Gutierrez: Better known as ‘The Stencil Network,’ Juan, is a visual artist celebrated for his mastery of stencil techniques. His work has been showcased in Puerto Rico, New York, and Vienna. His design was inspired by iconic symbols of Puerto Rican identity - from the proud "Jíbaro" figure on the tail to the island's colorful fruits and plants.
• Natalia Nicole: Known as 2BLEENE (“double N” in Spanish), Natalia is a Puerto Rican native now bringing her talents to Europe. Her art combines contemporary abstraction with her love for flowers and nature. Inspired by the bold colors of JetBlue and the Puerto Rican flag, her design is a vibrant tribute to Puerto Rico’s lush flora - from the Azucena, carambola, Cruz de Malta, and the iconic hibiscus.

JetBlue’s Commitment to Puerto Rico

JetBlue has been part of Puerto Rico’s community for over 20 years and continues to grow its presence on the island. In December 2024, JetBlue opened its first crew base outside the continental U.S. in San Juan, starting with inflight crewmembers. This expansion has created jobs and strengthened the airline's connection to the local economy. San Juan-based pilots are expected to join the base in spring of this year.

JetBlue has also recently expanded its network, adding more flights between Puerto Rico, key mainland cities, and the Caribbean. In Puerto Rico, JetBlue provides service from San Juan, Aguadilla and Ponce. With increased service, the airline is making it easier for Puerto Ricans to travel for business, leisure, or to reconnect with loved ones. JetBlue remains committed to Puerto Rico’s future—partnering with local organizations to boost tourism, create jobs, and support cultural preservation.

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 carries customers to more than 100 destinations throughout the United States, Latin America, Caribbean, Canada and Europe. For more information and the best fares, visit jetblue.com.

1. Terms apply. Cast your vote: https://vamoarribajetblue.com/ - one vote maximum per person through March 1, 2025.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250217194359/en/

JetBlue Corporate Communications

Tel: +1.718.709.3089

corpcomm@jetblue.com

Source: JetBlue

FAQ

When will JetBlue (JBLU) reveal the winning Puerto Rico livery design?

The winning design will be unveiled in March 2024, with the aircraft taking flight in summer 2024.

How long is the voting period for JetBlue's (JBLU) Puerto Rico livery contest?

Public voting is open through March 11, 2024.

When did JetBlue (JBLU) open its San Juan crew base?

JetBlue opened its San Juan crew base in December 2024, its first outside the continental U.S.

Which Puerto Rican cities does JetBlue (JBLU) currently serve?

JetBlue operates services from San Juan, Aguadilla, and Ponce in Puerto Rico.

Who are the artists designing JetBlue's (JBLU) new Puerto Rico livery?

The three Puerto Rican artists are Elizabeth Barreto, Juan Gutierrez (The Stencil Network), and Natalia Nicole (2BLEENE).