JetBlue TrueBlue - JetBlue coming to BOS!

Boston will finally see why many people love JetBlue -- flights begin in January to FLL, MCO, TPA, and DEN.

News story here. (http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030930/305240_1.html)

Nice.

I'm surprised there were no BOS-LAS flights or any long hauls to CA....I;m sure those would be next?

Looking forward to hearing how the Logan folks enjoy flying Jetblue.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kdinino:
Nice.

I'm surprised there were no BOS-LAS flights or any long hauls to CA....I;m sure those would be next?</font>

one word:

range

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by audio-nut:
one word:

range</font>


one word: huh?

yeah---say what?

If they fly the A320 from JFK-LGB...why wouldn't one be able to go BOS-LAS?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by the-ca-goat:

one word: huh?</font>

I was specifically talking about CA. The range of the B6 320's is just about maxed out with JFK-LGB. To add another couple hundred miles would mean caps almost everyday.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by audio-nut:
one word:

range</font>


Here's some stats for ya...

BOS-LAS = 2,370 miles

JFK-LGB = 2,460 miles.

A320 range is 3,000 nautical miles in a 150 pax configuration.

We're talking about BOS-LAS, not BOS-LGB, right? America West flies BOS-LAS daily with 320s. I would assume they could handle BOS-LGB without too many problems, maybe the occasional bump in the winter when headwinds are strong?

They shoud at least continue out of Denver and head over to OAK and/or LGB cause they'll bearly make it if they fly nonstop from BOS to OAK/LGB in the most perfect condition such as no delays and the best possible weather condition.
BOS to OAK is 2700 miles
BOS to LGB is 2650 miles

This is AWESOME news! Maybe the prices in the Boston market will come down now (for all carriers). I've been traveling to Manchester, NH or Providence, RI to get the cheap fares....

But now, with AirTran, ATA, and JetBlue all flying out of Boston, things are looking up! Now, if SouthWest would only start flying out of BOS, that would be great!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by steve100:
This is AWESOME news! Maybe the prices in the Boston market will come down now (for all carriers). I've been traveling to Manchester, NH or Providence, RI to get the cheap fares....

But now, with AirTran, ATA, and JetBlue all flying out of Boston, things are looking up! Now, if SouthWest would only start flying out of BOS, that would be great!</font>

I'm sure the fares will come down in the markets that the LCC's serve.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by toadman:

Here's some stats for ya...

BOS-LAS = 2,370 miles

JFK-LGB = 2,460 miles.

A320 range is 3,000 nautical miles in a 150 pax configuration.</font>

As i listed in my reply, I was refering to BOS-CA routes.
The 3000 mile range is for a model with extended fuel tanks. B6 does not have them.

What is the range without those tanks? BOS-OAK is a very sensical market in theory.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by 100K:
What is the range without those tanks? BOS-OAK is a very sensical market in theory.</font>

Using the very simple range chart on the airbus site, the range appears to be 2600 miles. BUT this is very general and can be off many miles either way due to optional equipment (like IFE), heavier than standard baggage loads (like the SJU market), different avionics packages, etc

edited to add: B6 has stated that they are taking out 6 seats for conmfort but most believe that the aircraft are too heavy for the long transcons.

[This message has been edited by audio-nut (edited 09-30-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by audio-nut:
Using the very simple range chart on the airbus site, the range appears to be 2600 miles. BUT this is very general and can be off many miles either way due to optional equipment (like IFE), heavier than standard baggage loads (like the SJU market), different avionics packages, etc

edited to add: B6 has stated that they are taking out 6 seats for conmfort but most believe that the aircraft are too heavy for the long transcons.

[This message has been edited by audio-nut (edited 09-30-2003).]</font>


They are taking the seats out to accomodate space for wheelchair storage in the back because of a settlement that they made in a lawsuit regarding this. Their airplanes were not equipped with a closet large enough to accomodate someones folding chair if they wished to carry it. They aren't doing this as a good will gesture towards their passengers.


[This message has been edited by AS Flyer (edited 09-30-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by AS Flyer:

They are taking the seats out to accomodate space for wheelchair storage in the back because of a settlement that they made in a lawsuit regarding this. Their airplanes were not equipped with a closet large enough to accomodate someones folding chair if they wished to carry it. They aren't doing this as a good will gesture towards their passengers.</font>

That is incorrect! I was on a reconfigured plane yesterday and asked the FA about it. They said that they will put it on the seat in row 26. The settlement to the lawsuit is that they will start putting them upstairs instead of in the belly.

gah! was hoping jetblue would start off with service to JFK. talk about a route that could use the competition--i'm sick of paying $450 roundtrip to get to long island...

Ditto -- I was hoping for JFK service to connect with what they have out of there (the same way as BUF/BTV etc.) Maybe they just decided that nonstop flights out of Logan were more important. I guess we'll get JFK feeders once the Embraers come on stream.

What worries me a touch more is that B6 and Song seem to be engaged in a fight to the death, and I have a feeling that DL has more capability to survive such a fight. Maybe not, with the trad airlines the way they are, but if I were Neeleman I'm not convinced I'd deliberately go into markets Song is already in. Presumably he knows something I don't -- I guess that's pretty likely http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

But DEN? Why DEN? And did you notice they've rejigged the DEN-JFK flight to depart at 1:10am?? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif

JetBlue, get your act together farewise on the new BOS-TPA route! The lowest fares I can find in FEB are $200 roundtrip, and on Fri/Sun the fares are as high as $150-$200 EACH WAY.

If you are just going to match the Song fares, it wouldn't help very mutch and I'll have to keep patronizing MHT and Southwest's REFUNDABLE MAXIMUM fare of $179 (I think) each way.

Grrrr http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif

I would think BOS-LGB would be coming soon. Range should not be an issue and I wouldn't be surprised if a Boston-JFK popped up soon as well.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by audio-nut:
That is incorrect! I was on a reconfigured plane yesterday and asked the FA about it. They said that they will put it on the seat in row 26. The settlement to the lawsuit is that they will start putting them upstairs instead of in the belly.

</font>

All you need to do is go back and do a search through some of the news sites and you can see for yourself. They are ONLY removing seats to accomodate their settlement.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by AS Flyer:
All you need to do is go back and do a search through some of the news sites and you can see for yourself. They are ONLY removing seats to accomodate their settlement.</font>

I just got off the phone with B6's res line. If you request to have a wheelchair on board one of the newly modified aircraft, they will be put in row 26. There is no cubby or closet deadacated to them.

To back up my claim of reducing seating for range purposes (and also the now increased average baggage weights) look in the AA forum, here (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum71/HTML/017112.html), for a post by "AS Flyer", as to weight issues.

Bottom line is BOS-CA runs are not going to be feasible because of weight issues.

Has anyone figured out what terminal Jet Blue will operate out of in BOS? D perhaps? Also does anyone have experience taking the first flight out of a city. E.g. if I got on the first flight on Jet Blue to depart BOS, would this be an interesting expedition or something special or unique? I am kind of thinking of taking the first flt out of BOS I think its to MCO on 1/7. Perhaps then I would come back on Song and compare the two. Hopefully at least in directly competing markets, Song will have the tv screens set up by then.

As a PR professional--I can guarantee you they will have either a big event/giveaway at Logan, or something for all the passengers onboard the first flightsl, etc. expect a nice article that day in The Globe and Herald as well (if their reps can pitch...)

jetsetter - according to this Front Page story in the Boston Globe on 10/1/03, see:

http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2003/10/01/offering_bargains_jetblue_heads_to_logan/

"It will fly out of Terminal E but move to Terminal C after construction on a new Terminal A is completed in 2005."

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by steve100:
This is AWESOME news! Maybe the prices in the Boston market will come down now (for all carriers). I've been traveling to Manchester, NH or Providence, RI to get the cheap fares....

But now, with AirTran, ATA, and JetBlue all flying out of Boston, things are looking up! Now, if SouthWest would only start flying out of BOS, that would be great!</font>

Yes, but do you really want to use an airport as mis-managed as Logan? And be in a place where Staties are allowed to carry machine guns?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by HeHateY:
Yes, but do you really want to use an airport as mis-managed as Logan?</font>

They already choose JFK...
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif


also RE: BOS transcon range
UAL runs thrice daily BOS-LAX on a A320 eastbound and a 75 westbound. Care to wager why they don't run the airbus west?

[This message has been edited by audio-nut (edited 10-05-2003).]

Jet stream resistance? (Wind resistance)?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Bravo904:
I would think BOS-LGB would be coming soon. Range should not be an issue and I wouldn't be surprised if a Boston-JFK popped up soon as well.</font>

Neither will happen. BOS-JFK is not happening for the same reason there is no IAD-JFK or ATL-JFK. It's a heavy connecting route and does not fit into thier route plans. Why do you think they are creating BOS-FLL/TPA/MCO/DEN? It is to simply bypass JFK. BOS-LGB won't happen for two reasons. The first being that there are no more slots at LGB, and while it is of course possible that they will eventually reduce frequencies in other markets, like OAK, that's not going to be happening just yet. Second, BOS-LGB is very much stretching the legs of jetBlue's A320s, which are not equipped with extended range fuel tanks and already have some minor weight penalites on JFK-SAN/LGB.

First of all, I would not be surprised if JFK-BOS were started because JetBlue feels that they might be profitable because Delta, USAirways, and AA are so expensive. Secondly, JetBlue has had more weight problems on the JFK-OAK route than the JFK to LGB and SAN.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Bravo904:
First of all, I would not be surprised if JFK-BOS were started because JetBlue feels that they might be profitable because Delta, USAirways, and AA are so expensive. Secondly, JetBlue has had more weight problems on the JFK-OAK route than the JFK to LGB and SAN.</font>

Delta, American, and USAirways make thier money in the Boston-New York City market by flying to LaGuardia. While both Delta and American offer a handful of BOS-JFK flights, it is almost entirely for connecting traffic. O&D passengers go through LaGuardia. While on leisure routes JFK makes sense, on a business route like BOS-NYC, the difference between LGA and JFK is huge, and LGA will comman a premium. Mark my words, BOS-JFK is not happening.

And, yes, you are right, jetBlue does have even more weight problems on JFK-OAK, thier longest route. That still doesn't bode well for BOS-LGB, because BOS-LGB is still longer than JFK-OAK.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MAH4546:
And, yes, you are right, jetBlue does have even more weight problems on JFK-OAK, thier longest route. That still doesn't bode well for BOS-LGB, because BOS-LGB is still longer than JFK-OAK. </font>

Where do yous get that sort of info??

Well this pretty much finally explains the Manchester question
with 3 letters and 3 numbers.
ERJ-190
JFK-MHT I think is going to happen.
-JBLU.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Paulo:
Where do yous get that sort of info??</font>

From the Great Circle Mapper:

http://gc.kls2.com/

According to it,

OAK-JFK or v.v. is 2576 miles.

But LGB-BOS is just 27 miles further at 2602 while LGB-MHT is only 2 more at 2578. Also, ONT-BOS is ten miles less at 2566! So there is hope for SoCal to New England Service!

(From, To, Distance)
LGB (33°49'04"N 118°09'06"W) BOS (42°21'52"N 71°00'19"W) 2602 mi
LGB (33°49'04"N 118°09'06"W) BDL (41°56'20"N 72°41'00"W) 2517 mi
LGB (33°49'04"N 118°09'06"W) PVD (41°43'26"N 71°25'42"W) 2583 mi
LGB (33°49'04"N 118°09'06"W) MHT (42°56'04"N 71°26'13"W) 2578 mi
LGB (33°49'04"N 118°09'06"W) JFK (40°38'23"N 73°46'44"W) 2465 mi
ONT (34°03'22"N 117°36'04"W) BOS (42°21'52"N 71°00'19"W) 2566 mi
OAK (37°43'17"N 122°13'15"W) JFK (40°38'23"N 73°46'44"W) 2576 mi

[This message has been edited by HeHateY (edited 10-12-2003).]

I don't see why B6 would have service between JFK and BOS as it is impractical for pax. It is so much easier to just take the train to Boston than it is to schlep to LGA for a shuttle. To have to go all the way to JFK for a trip to BOS isn't something I would do. Would others?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jetsetter:
Also does anyone have experience taking the first flight out of a city. E.g. if I got on the first flight on Jet Blue to depart BOS, would this be an interesting expedition or something special or unique? I am kind of thinking of taking the first flt out of BOS I think its to MCO on 1/7.</font>

I am also interested in doing this, depending on what exactly they wouild do to commemorate the event. I inquired about it on "speak up" portion of jetblue's website. This is the reply I received:

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Thank you for your e-mail concerning our inaugural flight from
Boston. At this time we have not been made aware of the plans
intended for our first day of operation in Boston. Typically,
there is some kind of celebration to start service. You will
want to keep checking our website and other media sources such
as your local news station and newspaper for any announcements.
We appreciate your interest!
</font>

I know for the inaugural service from JFK-LAS they had a contest where the first 200 or so people who brought cans of food for the homeless etc, won free vouchers on a JFK-LAS flight. Also think they gave away a bunch of free tickets on site at the gates as well.

$25 AMEX GC with BOS-DEN/FLL/MCO/TPA/LGB RT flight purchase

Register here to be eligible to get a $25 American Express Gift Card. As a reminder, you need to be a TrueBlue member (click here to sign up if you haven't already), and then use your American Express card to book a round-trip flight (or two one-ways) on jetblue.com between Boston and Orlando, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, LA (Long Beach) or Denver. Travel must be booked by January 18, 2004 and completed by March 31, 2004.

http://www.jetblue.com/amex/

I was on the inaugural BOS-MCO flight.

What a pleasure to have JetBlue in Boston! Competition is good. Hopefully prices will come down in markets serviced by JetBlue. I am not certain that the Customer Service Agents, Flight Attendants, Baggage Handlers at other airlines in Boston will step-up to the challenge; it is my sense that JetBlue constitutes a significant threat to the other carrirers (and their employees!). If I worked for another airline in Boston, I'd be on extra good behavior moving forward. There is no doubt that the folks at American Airlines consider this a significant enough threat to be giving a free ticket away under their current promotion.

I for one am willing to take some portion of the more then 130 flights that I fly every year to JetBlue, if they "earn" my business.

Regarding the festivities, there was a little pomp and circumstance, but definitely not much. Governor Romney was present, a plethora of Massport employees, some cake, and soft drinks. No champagne, no gifts (other then JetBlue buttons), etc. I was surprised by the absence of a gift/amenity for the inaugural journey passengers.

Two pair of free tickets were given out to two lucky passengers whose name was drawn from a hat. The President of JetBlue said hello, thank you, and farewell, and the flight to Orlando was uneventful, with the exception of an on-time departure and arrival, friendly service, comfortable passenger space, and TV.

On arrival at MCO, the aircraft traveled through a stream of water, compliments of the Fire Department.

All in all, a fairly subdued inaugural journey. This sure isn't the airline that Richard Branson is at the helm of (no fanfare). But, as a native of New England, its sort of nice to find a good company, good product, and good service, without a lot of fanfare (sort of like L.L. Bean).

[This message has been edited by BeantownDisneyFan (edited Jan 09, 2004).]

Thanks for that report on the inaugural flight. I had thought of taking the flight, but got tied up with some things at work. Can you let us know what gates at Term E in BOS B6 seems to use? Also what sort of snacks did you get?

jetBlue is currently using Gates 1A and 1B in Terminal E. I believe these were former NorthWORST gates (simply being in the same terminal as NorthWORST gives me the chills (like the folks who were left stranded on a tarmac by NorthWORST several years ago - - evidence of NorthWORST's horrible corporate culture)). If you are standing curbside, looking at Terminal E, the gates are to the far right of the terminal, on a concourse that seems to run between Terminals E and D.

jetBlue check-in counters are on the same side of the terminal as their gates. You ride an escalator down one flight to access the security screening point, and gates.

Speaking of check-in, I was surprised to find that an airline with such great in-flight technology, did not have check-in kiosks.

Snacks include chips, biscotti, animal crackers, oatmeal raisin cookie, etc. Not much, but enough to satisfy a mid-flight craving for carbs and sugar.

Return flight from Orlando to Boston was uneventful; on-time (early departure from MCO and arrival at BOS 25 minutes ahead of schedule), very light load (app. ten passengers), and good service (in-flight and on the ground).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jetsetter:
Thanks for that report on the inaugural flight. I had thought of taking the flight, but got tied up with some things at work. Can you let us know what gates at Term E in BOS B6 seems to use? Also what sort of snacks did you get?</font>

From Tuesday's Aviation Daily:

JetBlue in September plans to take delivery of its first Airbus A320 equipped with an auxiliary center fuel tank that it hopes will mitigate winter weight restrictions on its westbound transcontinental flights. A spokesman said the airline will determine how many planes will have the extra tanks after evaluating the performance on routes from Boston and New York to Oakland and Long Beach.