The airline is currently evaluating which London airport it will fly to, but the UK will be the carrier’s first-ever European destination.
JetBlue will operate multiple daily flights from both East Coast USA cities, with the new routes being served by the long-range version of the Airbus A321.
JetBlue said growth into Europe is the next step in its focus on ‘city expansion strategy’, with London being the largest destination not served by JetBlue from both New York and Boston.
JetBlue’s president and chief operating officer, Joanna Geraghty, says: “Twenty years ago, our founders had a simple formula for choosing a new market – it had to be overpriced, underserved, or both.”
“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 will initially adapt 13 aircraft in its existing A321 order book to serve the new long-haul routes. A transatlantic version of the airline’s Mint premium product with accessible business class fares is being developed, which will feature more lie-flat seats than are currently offered on the airline’s A321 aircraft.
“The success Mint has had on driving down the exorbitant airfares that our competitors were charging, stimulating new demand, and forcing the entrenched carriers to up their game, is a big reason we believe London is the next natural market for JetBlue to be successful and make a positive impact on consumers,” says Geraghty.
JetBlue is also creating a new long-haul version of its Core experience, which features more legroom than other U.S. airlines, live television at every seat, free Fly-Fi broadband internet, and complimentary snacks and soft drinks.
More details on flight schedules, when seats will go on sale, as well as more information about transatlantic Mint and Core products will be announced in the coming months.
JetBlue is based out of New York City and is a leading carrier in Boston. It currently flies to more than 100 cities in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America.
