It’s no secret that JetBlue’s transatlantic ambitions aren’t restricted to London.
Earlier this week, the provider unveiled the main points of its hotly anticipated new service from New York to Paris, with flights commencing June 29. Flights from Boston to the French capital are anticipated to be added later this yr.
But whereas JetBlue could also be gearing up for this summer time’s massive Paris inaugural, the airline’s community planners are possible already eager about what’s subsequent. After all, the airline is slated to obtain 5 new Airbus A321LR, or long-range, plane this yr. It’ll additionally add 13 A321XLRs, or extra-long-range, jets beginning in 2024.
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So, the place will JetBlue fly subsequent? Here are some prime contenders.
Amsterdam
This one should not come as a lot of a shock to aviation observers.
With some luck (and many coaxing), JetBlue’s subsequent vacation spot will possible be Amsterdam. The provider not too long ago petitioned the U.S. Department of Transportation for assist having access to slots at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS).
So far, the airline has been unsuccessful in securing takeoff and touchdown rights to the capital of the Netherlands. “Entrenched legacy carriers and joint ventures which have been round for years are impeding the power for others to develop,” Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue’s president and chief working officer, mentioned in a latest interview with TPG.
If JetBlue finally wins the slots it must serve Amsterdam, it would add flights there. “We’re persevering with to knock on their door and hope that in some unspecified time in the future they open it and allow us to in,” Geraghty mentioned.
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Dublin
Another chance is Dublin.
There’s constantly been robust demand for flights from the Northeast to Ireland, and JetBlue possible would not have a problem filling a 138-seat jet from New York or Boston to Dublin.
Furthermore, the airline already has a codeshare partnership with Irish flag provider Aer Lingus, and the 2 airways are co-located in New York and Boston. JetBlue may possible add flights that complement Aer Lingus’ present service.
Lisbon, Portugal
Back within the day, JetBlue had a codeshare partnership with TAP Air Portugal. The pact meant that vacationers may e-book flights to and from Portugal by JetBlue, with the New York-based provider offering the home feed to TAP’s U.S. gateways.
Even although the partnership not exists, again in 2017, as a lot as 17% of TAP’s total transatlantic passenger site visitors got here from JetBlue’s feed.
While demand patterns change over time, there does not appear to be a scarcity of vacationers flying between the U.S. and Europe. So, it is doable JetBlue might give Lisbon a attempt by itself.
Copenhagen
Speaking of hovering demand for transatlantic journey, Copenhagen looks like one other market that may match the invoice for JetBlue.
There is a regular stream of vacationers headed to or from the capital of Denmark, particularly through the hotter months, so it is doable that Copenhagen may change into a seasonal marketplace for JetBlue.
The Airbus A321LR has a spread of 4,000 nautical miles (although it may possibly range relying on the cabin configuration). Copenhagen is definitely inside that vary from New York and Boston (3,340 and three,179 nautical miles, respectively).
Rome
Another main European vacation spot that is perhaps on JetBlue’s future route map is Rome. However, serving the Italian capital with its present fleet of A321LRs may pose an issue.
That’s as a result of Rome is about 3,700 nautical miles away from New York, which is probably going pushing the vary of the A321LR, particularly when the jet faces robust headwinds within the westbound path.
So whereas Rome is probably not imminent, it is possible a prime contender for JetBlue’s upcoming Airbus A321XLRs, which provide a further 700 nautical miles of vary over the LR variant.
With an order for 13 XLRs, JetBlue may have the pliability to decide on the way it deploys these jets. In addition to pushing deeper into continental Europe, this can possible enable the airline so as to add extra routes to present European cities from farther away within the U.S.
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