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JetBlue has revealed plans to launch multiple daily flights from both New York and Boston to London in 2021.
The British capital will become the carrier’s first European destination.
The new routes, which will be served by Airbus A321LR single-aisle aircraft with a reimagined version of Mint, will mark the first-ever transatlantic service offered by the award-winning airline.
JetBlue said it was still evaluating which London airports it will serve.
“Twenty years ago, our founders had a simple formula for choosing a new market – it had to be overpriced, underserved, or both,” said Joanna Geraghty, president and chief operating officer, JetBlue.
“London is the largest metro area JetBlue doesn’t yet serve from both Boston and New York, and we could not be more thrilled to be changing that in the years ahead.
“The fares being charged today by airlines on these routes, specifically on the premium end, are enough to make you blush.”
JetBlue is entering a crowded marketplace, with low-cost airline Norwegian currently competing against full-service carriers including British Airways, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and others.
Growth into Europe is the next natural step in JetBlue’s focus city expansion strategy, with London being the largest destination not served by JetBlue from both New York and Boston.
The highly announcement, which comes after an extensive internal review, was made in New York at a crewmember event at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
“The big airlines will tell you that competition has never been more robust, but the smaller airlines have never found it harder to get access,” said Geraghty.
“It’s time for regulators here in the US and across Europe to create conditions where smaller carriers and new entrants can thrive, instead of letting the giant airlines get even bigger through joint ventures.
“Given a chance to compete, JetBlue can have a tremendous effect on lowering fares and stimulating traffic.”
The A321LR will allow JetBlue to tap into new long-haul markets that were not previously accessible with its current single-aisle aircraft.
JetBlue will initially convert 13 aircraft in its existing A321 order book to the LR version with the ability to convert more.
“JetBlue has pioneered new travel possibilities for their customers for years,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus chief commercial officer.
“All of us at Airbus are honoured to provide the strategic aircraft platform to enable this next chapter in the story of our partners at JetBlue.”
Source: breakingtravelnews.com
