With American Alliance, JetBlue Eyes Expansion on New York Presence

Although the new alliance between JetBlue and American Airlines seems to benefit the larger carrier, JetBlue is also using the opportunity to expand in their hometown. Potentially using American slots, the New York-based airline envisions nearly 400 departures from Gotham’s three airports.

Could JetBlue expand to nearly 400 departures per day from New York’s three major airports? A report from PaxEx.aero suggests the airline is looking to expand their operations from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) as part of their alliance with American Airlines.

JetBlue Wants to Expand Operations in Boston and New York Using American Slots

According to internal documents seen by PaxEx.aero, JetBlue is looking to expand service from New York to several cities in the U.S. Southeast. Markets potentially being considered by JetBlue include Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, as well as Jacksonville and Sarasota/Bradenton, Florida.

The Southeastern seaboard wouldn’t be the only markets JetBlue could start flying through. According to the internal documents, the airlines could also be planning to grow their presence in traditional Midwestern business markets. Up for consideration includes Kansas City, Missouri, Milwaukee and St. Louis.

To create “disruption” in the southeast, JetBlue wants to expand their operations out of Boston and New York’s three major airports. The plan would call for expanding peak departures out of JFK from 175 daily in 2019, to as many as 240 once the alliance is in place. Peak flights from LGA would expand from 18 to up to 60, while peak flights would expand from 35 out of EWR, to as many as 80. If JetBlue were to add more flights, it would require them to borrow slots from American.

Expansion Could Happen by 2023, Based on Demand

Although the two partners have more pressing issues to take on, the potential expansion shows how long full integration between the two could take based on the lack of demand created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Leaders at JetBlue suggest a full recovery of business travel may not take place until 2023.