JetBlue TrueBlue - New International Alliances

The Richmond Times Dispatch is reporting that JetBlue is working hard on a new type of international alliance since it is the powerhouse at JFK. Here is a link (http://www.richmondtimesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD/MGArticle/RTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1137834649007)

I hope this happens!!!

This might be a great move: ATA made $40M itself by codesharing with Southwest. Jblue could definitely use some help in boosting it RASM. But that might mean less availability of the super cheap introductory fares.

I do agree with the article that Jetblue needs to do some convincing: that its on time performance and baggage transfer will be good. Those who flow to international flights are edgier about delays and loss of bags, and mor expensive to deal with.

The Richmond Times Dispatch is reporting that JetBlue is working hard on a new type of international alliance since it is the powerhouse at JFK. Here is a link (http://www.richmondtimesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD/MGArticle/RTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1137834649007)

I hope this happens!!!

Lets see who can figure out what airline jetBlue is trying to team up with... I say it might be Virgin since their both hip and have alot in common such as giving customers more than what they paid for and more legroom than their competitors, and, of course, annoy the hell out of the legacy carriers. It would be nice if it was EOS or that other all business class airline, but I doubt it, I think Virgin seems to fit better with jetBlue more than the other airlines.

Lets see who can figure out what airline jetBlue is trying to team up with... I say it might be Virgin since their both hip and have alot in common such as giving customers more than what they paid for and more legroom than their competitors, and, of course, annoy the hell out of the legacy carriers. It would be nice if it was EOS or that other all business class airline, but I doubt it, I think Virgin seems to fit better with jetBlue more than the other airlines.

I don't think it will be Virgin since Virgin America is starting up soon, and they're positioning themselves as a direct competitor to JetBlue. I know Virgin Atlantic is a separate company from Virgin America but there are enough ties that I don't see it happening.

I don't think it will be Virgin since Virgin America is starting up soon, and they're positioning themselves as a direct competitor to JetBlue. I know Virgin Atlantic is a separate company from Virgin America but there are enough ties that I don't see it happening.

I am fully aware of Virgin America is starting up soon, but I can still see it happening out of JFK since Virgin America will be based out of SFO which would cause some nightmares for United more than jetBlue. I just came to that conclusion cause what other airline would partner up with jetBlue? Every other major airlines that serve the transatlantic route already partner with another airline here in the US. But maybe it could be a partner with EOS or MaxJet? The problem I see there is that their both targeting business travelers and those that want to spend the extra money for business class seats on MaxJet or First Class type seat on EOS... Any other feedback from anyone else?

Acutally to reply to my own statement... Aside from Virgin, EOS, and Max Jet, I figure Aer Lingus might since their rumored to leave OneWorld and switch to an all economy class low fare carrier which could be a match with jetBlue if thats the case, but than I would question the standards for service set by Aer Lingus vs the high standards that jetBlue set for themself.

I say it might be Virgin since their both hip and have alot in common such as giving customers more than what they paid for and more legroom than their competitors.

More room? On virgin atlantic? Virgin's economy seating makes Continental look good.

From a purely marketing perspective, the alliance of a Jet Blue / Virgin Atl makes all kinds of sense. Both have hip, fresh personas and passengers -- in general -- are excited about flying them. At least far moreso than something like USAirways or Delta these days.

And, I can certainly see where the feed benefits at JFK could stand to help both carriers immensely.

For example, with B6 entering the PWM market this summer, having efficient connections through JFK to Virgin's network in Europe would be ideal compared with our options these days. If they get their pricing right, all the better.

And, as has been stated already, it appears that the VirginUSA model has the brain of the operation on the left coast. The JFK hub for B6 is pulling 80% or so from east of the Mississippi, right? The overlap is hardly consequential.

I say this is a solid bet. That said, let me also say I hope like hell it's not with a reinvented AerLingus. In a word, ugh. Make that ugh in the extreme.

In this thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=535770), Iceland Air was suggested. I think it wouldn't be a bad fit both in terms of style (i.e. LCC with class) and locations (FI flies to both JFK and BOS, and they're right next to B6 at JFK). Any idea when an announcement is expected?

Michael

Canada's Westjet?

They fly an all eco cabin with satellite TV in every seat, and they couldn't make NYC flights work before because of a lack of O/D ex-LGA (no one knew who the hell they were). *and* they've recently upgraded their computer systems to allow codesharing flights. They have an extensive canadian network and combine that with B6's high profile, I think a codeshare would be logical and natural.. Let B6 do the ground handling at JFK and/or BOS and they could open those stations pretty easily.

http://c1dsp.westjet.com/guest/destinations/ourDestinations.jsp

Basically, all the destinations west of thunder bay would be an easy connection from JFK through YYZ (easy codeshare routes). They already share stations at LAS and PHX, where you could easily connect from the west coast to YYC/YVR/YEG. If WS opens up OAK (or even LGB slots allowing), it would be even easier.

Remember, canadian flights clear US immigration before they leave, so they can fly into domestic gates. Makes the idea of a codeshare more and more probable..

Canada's Westjet?


I could see WestJet partnering up with jetBlue... I mean, didn't Neeleman help start up WestJet? WestJet's TVs are installed by LiveTV, owned by jetBlue. WestJet makes alot of sense for an alliance to Canada. In addition, it doesnt have to be just out of JFK, they can also partner up on the westcoast in OAK by having WestJet start service to OAK (Canada's west coast to Oakland and continue onto LGB, BOS, IAD, FLL, etc...)

Acutally to reply to my own statement... Aside from Virgin, EOS, and Max Jet, I figure Aer Lingus might since their rumored to leave OneWorld and switch to an all economy class low fare carrier which could be a match with jetBlue if thats the case, but than I would question the standards for service set by Aer Lingus vs the high standards that jetBlue set for themself.

Hey look! I knew I could predict the future. :D

Max Jet and Jetblue would be an odd couple, but there are synergies there. Maxjet is all business, but its pax are not all business. The concept of Maxjet is to create a market segment out of both business fliers and leisure travelers who would ordinarily fly economy, but choose business because Maxjet makes it affordable. Such passengers may well fly economy on a short domestic flight and then connect to Maxjet business. Those, I assume, are the passengers that BA has tried to attract with their economy plus product.
Maxjet is as much about creating business class fliers as Jetblue is about creating fliers (a better example of flier creation is probably Ryanair in Europe: the airline hasn't just eroded the customer base of legacy carriers, it has also created millions of new fliers who hadn't even considered flying before).
So the question is mostly about scale: would the number of passengers Maxjet and Jetblue provide each other be significant enough to justify a strategic partnership? Maybe, maybe not.
But since it certainly wouldn't be an exclusive partnership it might make sense if it didn't require a large investment.

As for Air India, another carrier quoted in the article, I wonder if LH is getting nervous. AI and LH have a partnership, but I wonder if AI might consider skipping the European friend now that non-stop service between North America and India is becoming viable.

Flew on MaxJet Twice. Once form Las Vegas. Booth times I got the worse service ever. None of the movie viewers I got worked and they ran out of food choices. Neither of those things should happen in business class. Reviews of Maxjet is mixed (at best) by travel reporters - so let's hope B6 passes on them for now.

Canada's Westjet?

*and* they've recently upgraded their computer systems to allow codesharing flights.

They still haven't managed to get that new res system installed.

Reviews of Maxjet is mixed (at best) by travel reporters... I read a review of MaxJet in Business Traveller magazine that was absolutely scathing... not only was the inflight service surly and slapdash, but the airline's PR agency tried to bribe the writer into spiking the review -- then threatened him.

It doesn't sound like they'd be a good fit for B6 given the image issues they have to overcome right now. Better to keep company with an established, competent international carrier.

right now, I don't think foreign carriers would even want to work with B6.

right now, I don't think foreign carriers would even want to work with B6.

That's an aggressive overstatement. While most (if not ALL) of us can be enfuriated by B6's most recent boneheaded weekend decisions, surely we can also have enough common sense to recognize that, on the whole, this is a carrier well regarded by most. With JFK as its significant east coast hub, it makes nothing but good sense for carriers to look at it as an additional source of domestic feed.

...this is a carrier well regarded by most... That could be changing. Don't underestimate the power of high-visibility incidents like this to alter brand perceptions in big, lasting ways. How do you think people came to file US Airways, mentally, under "Avoid"? Incidents like this, only not as bad.

.....

How do you think people came to file US Airways, mentally, under "Avoid"? Incidents like this, only not as bad.

USAirways' reputation went steadily south over more than a decade of lousy decisions and poor operations management. Surely you know that. That airline suffered from a steady stream of changing management, none of whom could right the ship.

After Stephen Wolf left (taking lots of $$$ with him), things continually went worse at every turn. The planes were dirty, the cabin crews were pissed and unpleasant, the gate agents were surly, they took their domestic F product and made it the least competitive out there, and they supplanted their long time airport agents with new hires, many of whom now make about $9.58/hr.

None of that is true with B6. Let's don't overreact here. Yes, they've had a miserable, and INEXCUSABLE, weekend which is now rolling into the coming week. This will absolutely cost them in both the short and medium term. But, this is not the making of a ship about to sink.

The comparison of B6 to the old USAirways is neither fair nor accurate.