JetBlue has just announced some route additions for the coming months, including some exciting new markets that will feature JetBlue’s Mint service.
JetBlue is adding 30 new domestic routes, specifically to serve customers in markets where leisure and VFR (visiting friends and relatives) travel is showing signs of strength. This is because business travel is facing a less certain recovery timeline, so this will give JetBlue the opportunity to generate revenue and bring aircraft back into service that would otherwise sit idle.
So, what’s changing?
JetBlue will bring Mint service to Newark
Mint is the name of JetBlue’s phenomenal business class product, available on select Airbus A321 aircraft. This is available on select transcon routes, and it’s probably most well known for being offered on flights from New York to Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Well, travelers between the NYC-area and California will soon have a new option to fly Mint. JetBlue Mint will be expanded to Newark, with new Mint-configured aircraft operating flights from Newark to Los Angeles and San Francisco.
These new routes will launch as of July 23, 2020:
- Newark to Los Angeles will operate up to 3x daily
- Newark to San Francisco will operate up to 2x daily
JetBlue will bring Mint service to Newark
JetBlue launching point-to-point leisure routes
In addition to the above Mint additions, JetBlue will be launching several more point-to-point routes, which should be popular with leisure travelers. These will all be operated with Airbus A320 aircraft, so won’t feature a Mint cabin.
As of July 23, 2020, JetBlue will launch the following new routes:
- Newark to Charleston up to 1x daily
- Newark to Jacksonville up to 1x daily
- New York to Dallas up to 2x daily
- New York JFK to Detroit up to 2x daily
As of August 6, 2020, JetBlue will launch the following new routes:
- Newark to Austin up to 2x daily
- Newark to Las Vegas up to 2x daily
- Newark to Phoenix up to 2x daily
- Newark to San Diego up to 1x daily
- Newark to Sarasota up to 1x daily
- New York JFK to Minneapolis up to 2x daily
- New York LaGuardia to Fort Myers up to 1x daily
- New York LaGuardia to Tampa up to 2x daily
- Philadelphia to Fort Myers up to 1x daily
- Philadelphia to Orlando up to 2x daily
- Philadelphia to Palm Beach up to 2x daily
- Philadelphia to San Juan up to 1x daily
- Philadelphia to Tampa up to 1x daily
As of October 1, 2020, JetBlue will launch the following new routes:
- Fort Lauderdale to Pittsburgh up to 1x daily
- Fort Lauderdale to Portland up to 2x weekly
- Fort Lauderdale to Seattle up to up to 3x weekly
- Fort Myers to Cleveland up to 1x daily
- Fort Myers to Providence up to 1x daily
- New York JFK to St. Thomas up to 2x weekly
- Orlando to San Francisco up to 1x daily
- Palm Beach to Chicago up to 1x daily
- Palm Beach to Washington National up to 1x daily
- Tampa to Providence up to 1x daily
- Tampa to Washington National up to 1x daily
JetBlue is adding dozens of leisure routes
JetBlue is going on the offense against United
There are lots of cool new routes here, though what I find most intriguing is JetBlue’s focus on Newark, especially in the premium transcon market. It sure seems to me like JetBlue is intending to give United a run for their money here, given that the airline previously consolidated Mint flying at New York JFK.
I’ll be curious to see if United responds, between the Mint addition and the other leisure routes.
JetBlue will be competing directly with United on more routes
Bottom line
It’s cool to see JetBlue trying some new routes during these uncertain times, in order to bring planes back into service. In particular, I’m excited to see JetBlue going head-to-head against United in the Newark to California market. JetBlue’s Mint is phenomenal, and a very nice alternative to United’s inconsistent product in the market.
What do you make of JetBlue’s route additions?
Membership is free and takes no more information than commenting as a guest. Earn status points for good contributions, and see fewer ads as your status grows.