JetBlue Launching Amsterdam Flights In Summer 2023

You say this as if it’s a good thing. When the world is burning, we’ll remember the small decisions like Schiphol being blocked from shrinking. It may not be detrimental in itself but it’s symbolic of us kicking the can down the road.

Is this the extent of JetBlue's growth in Europe? Beyond CDG, I'm not sure what other routes could be operated profitably with the A321LR

Possibly some routes from BOS to the Med? I don't think NYC flights could handle the distance on the A321R?

1) Really like that 10 PM departure time to Amsterdam. Too many EU flights try to leave at 6,7,8, etc. 10 PM or later is the way to go

2) JetBlue desperately needs lounges in its major airports (JFK, BOS, etc). Not just Mint lounges either - they need full lounges accessible to members, elites, etc. T5 isn't a good experience like it was many years ago.

I see so much potential in the unserved JFK-PRG route. I wonder if it's not in their plans, or whether they have some slot or range issues.

These two routes are direct competition to DL. Wonder how the price wars is going to be. Timing on both routes isn't bad at all

Just a head up regarding service in coach... these A321LRs are originally designated for domestic transcontinental flights, so they don't have oven in the aft galley. I presume coach passengers will receive cold meals like some of the BOS-LGW flights ran by the same LRs during the past year. JetBlue will hopefully clarify to passengers.

They’re really gearing up for a fight with DL. Launching routes from their two northeast hubs to their three European hubs can’t be sitting well with the management team in Atlanta.

I love the later flights to Europe. Actually have a decent shot at getting some sleep on the flight and being able to check-in when you get to the hotel.

Are you sure this is correct? The seat map shows JFK-AMS flights being operated by the 24J A321LR, which is configured with ovens in the aft galley. Additionally, the AMS press release explicitly describes a hot meal in economy which would seem like an odd inclusion if it weren't true. The 16J A321 non-LR is the aircraft which doesn't have ovens in the aft galley — I know these are operating some TATL frequencies today, but it's not clear where they'll go by the time late August rolls around.

with all due respect, JBLU will offer a fraction of the capacity that DL has.
It is better to let JBLU operate on a few routes so that they no longer say that DL is systematically locking them out.

Keep in mind they have plenty of orders for the upcoming A321XLR as well, allowing them to go anywhere in Europe from either hub, to (realistically) as far as the Turkish peninsula. Israel would be *just* out of range.

Then there's also the potential for deep S.America, as all the major capitals/destinations there are within range from both hubs (though Buenos Aires is cutting it very closely) with the -XLR as well. Though they could just as easily launch those from Ft. Lauderdale, and hit every destination with room to spare.

Who's "we"?

By then all of you types will have killed yourself in some idiotic ritual meant to "lower human emissions" and appease the great holy one who is The Climate™.

An interesting topic that I always wondered.

How hard is it to retrofit ovens in the galley.
If B6 already have a working subfleet with ovens, should that be like a day job since they know what to do?
Maybe another day for some recertification just for the galley?

It's a fraction, sure, but most of the Delta/KLM customers aren't flying to Amsterdam, they're flying through it. Amsterdam is the Atlanta of Europe. Plenty of people fly to both cities, but the majority are passing through when it comes to DL and KLM. So in terms of capacity comparison that matters here: paying a premium to fly nonstop to Amsterdam from JFK & BOS, JetBlue's capacity isn't insignificant.. with all due respect.

Delta/KLM compete on one stop European traffic via AMS with Frankfurt, Dublin, Heathrow, and other European hubs, but Jetblue isn't competing with that, they're competing with the nonstop BOS/JFK-AMS where Delta can charge a premium to corporate customers since they're the only carriers on the route.

Remember they have the XLR coming online as soon as next year. This will open up longer range flight possibilities from JFK/BOS. They should double their currently announced transatlantic capacity within the next few years just with their current order book--giving them the ability to add around 13 more flights. Once they have access to the NK order book, even more possibilities open up.

They're still loosely affiliated with Aer Lingus right? If that ever ends could see them look at Dublin from NYC or BOS. Other than that, maybe a seasonal Med route in the summer.

Adrian,

That is incorrect, the 24J 321LRs have ovens in the back, the 16J 321Neo (non LRs) recently certified ETOPs as a stop gap measure due to LR delivery delays are the ones that lack the ovens in the back.

They physically can’t do that route until the XLR arrives which would be 2025 at the absolute earliest.

It's competition I guess. But if I am a corporate traveler flying JFK to AMS - and I fly Delta domestically - am I going to give up earning MQM on this expensive flight in order to fly JetBlue Mint, especially when it lacks lounge access on both ends of the pond?

It is a nice add, especially on the premium leisure side.

thank you, Anthony. You get it.
And the majority of customers at ATL don't fly to the city but Delta still gets a disproportionate share of the ATL local revenue as well as gets a revenue premium. The same principle applies.

JBLU will provide competition but this is more about them offering a somewhat similar network to DL in order to compete to retain the same passengers they already carry instead of losing them to DL. The chances of DL losing passengers are slim.

The same is true about AA and UA from NYC, btw.

Great take, Tim. B6 is simply using its London, Paris, and Amsterdam routes as retention flights to prevent the transatlantic customers it had before COVID from defecting.

I still can’t believe a A321 can carry enough fuel to stay in the air for more than nine hours (counting reserve, holding and alternate fuel). I’m having flashbacks to the A300.

Don't forget about the partnership issue. One could view JetBlue equivalent to BA or AA because of being in the same partnership. Interesting that they are flying to SkyTeam dominating destinations - Paris and Amsterdam and connections will not be simple as a result.

Much needed competition! Diamond / 2MM here and booked on Jet Blue to Europe in biz class for a business trip. They were cheaper and I think they have an equal if not superior product (never flown them before). Slowly but surly… goodbye SkyTeam especially with their ridiculous devaluation of miles, and lost benefits.

Well with SkyTeam introducing business light and charging for seat assignments in business… and making us pay $900+ for lounge access, it’s not worth it. Good to have options and as a corp traveler I’ll be trying Mint class and jet blue for the first time this summer.

Let’s be realistic about the XLR range. Even according to Airbus the range from New York is more like Italy and maybe Greece. There’s no way a XLR will be able to do JFK-IST, let alone Israel, unless it’s flying empty.

You are of course entitled to your opinion but in that case, why are you expending perhaps-not-green, not-carbon-neutral electricity reading aspirational travel blogs?