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It seems that JetBlue has set its sights on the lucrative transatlantic market! What is even more interesting is that the airline has not set its sights on competing with the low-cost carriers like Norwegian and WOW air, instead, they seem to be going after premium customers, with aircraft with a heavy Mint Configuration.
The key to JetBlue’s ambitious plan is the Airbus A321 neo, especially the LR (Long Range) variant of the aircraft which has a range of 4,000 nm. This new aircraft finally brings transatlantic routes within easy reach of JetBlue, without having to comprise on their core strategy and purchasing wide-bodied aircraft.
According to Air Transport World JetBlue CEO Robert Hayes, “The [A]321LR would allow us to do something a little different.” He added that the aircraft used on the route would have a heavier Mint Configuration than the current 16 seats per aircraft. Hayes added that an opportunity exists in the market since between the big three US carriers and their alliance partners, they control 87% of the transatlantic market and nearly all the premium market, which leaves an opportunity for JetBlue.
Overall
While the news is exciting it raises a few questions, will JetBlue have a full Mint configured aircraft? Probably not; there is not the market for that, but they would increase their current allocation from 16 Mint seats. These new routes could ultimately prove quite successful, with plenty of economy space, as well as Mint space. It seems that in the long run there is another serious player in the premium transatlantic market.
Source : One Mile at a Time
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They’ll be facing a ton of competition on routes from NYC and Boston. I’d rather they focus on expanding their service around the east coast.
Interesting, especially for me here in Europe
Way to go JB. Great product and across the pond is your next step. Doubt Aer Lingus your partner wants to see big blue in Dublin though
As a Hawaii resident hopefully Jetblue expands their partnership with Hawaiian so this becomes beneficial to me.
As one of the better rated airlines, this is interesting! More competition is always better and while I have never flown JetBlue, I have heard great things. I hope to go to Europe in the next 2 years.
I haven’t seen much of JetBlue, but the comments here look promising. It’s always good to see more competition on Transatlantic flights. We have an interesting time ahead.
I hope they start a flight from Los Angeles. But then again there is so much competition from LAX to Europe.
Given the aircraft they use, this wouldn’t be possible.
I think the best we can hope for at the moment is NYC & BOS, with domestic connections onward.
Exactly what I was thinking. Would love to see them fly into Spain from BOS, as most direct flights from the US are in and out of JFK/Newark, and I prefer to tack a few days in Boston on to my Europe flights.
BOS would make sense, given the short TATL distance.
I have yet to see the appeal of JetBlue (never flown them) but everyone seems to love them. Hopefully they expand their area as it seems like a great brand from what I’ve heard
Anxious to learn what the routes will be.
I’d love them to come over! Best would be flying Germany-United States 🙂
This is a great news! Would love to fly them to go to Europe! Let’s cross fingers…
This is good news! I have their miles to use up. I wonder where they would go first. I’ll have to research Mint!
Where do you think they’d start from and go to first?
We’re not sure, what do you think?
I would like to see more routes to Nordic countries like Sweden or Norway. Hope they don’t just fly Amsterdam or Paris.
Great news, will be interesting to see where they will fly. Europeans will have to see how good Jetblue is compared to their budget airlines, Like Ryanair and Easyjet. Jetblue is a big upgrade to them.
A few years ago Ryanair talked about starting transatlantic flights, but nothing ever came of it.
This might get me to put in an app for the Barclays B6 card! I’m slowly coming to grips with the realization I’ll probably never fall below 5/24.
Does anyone know when these routes will start to fly? I want to go to Europe for Christmas and would love to fly Jetblue.
We don’t know at this point.
Any idea how soon the routes will open?
We have no further information at this time.
very interesting. I expect Jet Blue to be a takeover victim in the next 12 months, SWA or Alaskan would be great fits.
This will be another interesting option if it comes off, but I would be a little doubtful that it will ever happen. I will be delighted to be proved wrong, providing the prices are good!
This should be interesting. Thanks for letting us know.
Guess success will come down to route choice – low cost carriers like Norwegian are going with weird near city airports to keep the fares down
they will have trouble competing in Europe
This sounds exciting. Is Mint comparable to First or Business on a legacy carrier?
It is comparable to the business class products Delta, United and American use on their premium routes from JFK to LAX/SFO or on their international business class flights.
I’m excited to hear about this!! I think this will make Europe a lot more affordable to tons more people.
Wow I can’t wait till Jet Blue starts flying TATL flights.
Love their Mint product!
If only you could get more than a fixed value with JetBlue points
This would be great. I have not had the opportunity to try Mint but even the normal experience of flying JetBlue is a pleasure when compared to the other full service airlines.
Agreed, even their bag fees are reasonable!
Great to have JetBlue bringing on more competition to trans-Atlantic routes!
Well, it seems that there will be a new competitor for this market.
The good thing is that Jet Blue will not target the very low cost part of it.
Mint across the pond would be a great option.
I have a lot of TrueBlue points I’d love to use for Europe!
Very interesting. Even if it doesn’t suit my need or your need specifically, more competition is never a bad thing.
Exactly. Even if you personally never use the service, increased competition might convince the established players to up their game (or at least decrease the rate at which they lower their game).
Agreed! More competition, lower prices and more choice.
Exactly. Anything that gets the “market leaders” out of their comfort zone, I’m in favour of.
I always hear great things about Jet Blue, but they don’t fly out of MSP. Maybe one of these international routes will be a good excuse to try them out.
At last, something that would potentially *increase* competition from my home airport! Thanks for the heads-up, I’ll be sure to stay tuned in further developments.
JetBlue has a great product and will be welcomed by those of us who are familiar with them
I would love to see a premium option for European flights. All Business Class / Mint won’t work, but anything to keep the major carriers from continuing to lower standards (as they see the LCCs as their only competition)
Good news for travellers, jet blue miles fairly easy to come by and now opening up in the premium market will add another lucrative redemption possibility on some routes.