Originally Posted by
dtremit
I suspect the truth is somewhere in between — probably a net positive for people in JetBlue's focus cities and larger cities JetBlue doesn't currently serve well, and a net negative for leisure travelers from smaller markets. Undoubtedly there are some NK routes that just won't make sense for B6. NK's route map has some weird eccentricities — e.g., they fly to multiple FL cities from Latrobe, PA, which is 33 miles from PIT.
LBE only has about 3 flights a day, MCO and FLL, one flight each, while seasonal for a few other markets, currently MYR. Maybe four departures from NK a day, and bigger operation than CAK and IAG but smaller than ACY. I drove there once from PIT area and I had to navigate US 30 over using a major highway for most of the drive. When I got there, the terminal was closed and there was an air show, and it felt like the whole town was out like it was July 4. The drive itself felt similar to when I drove to SBY airport, which also has a remote feel not near a major highway.
Given that JetBlue has increased RDU organically with LAX and proposed SFO, even before NK,
https://www.rdu.com/jetblue-launches-five-new-daily-nonstop-destinations-at-rdu/
https://www.rdu.com/jetblue-announces-seven-new-destinations-coming-to-rdu/
I wonder if JetBlue would consider making RDU a focus with the extra aircraft and slots at LGA. I think it would have enough LGA slots to offer RDU-LGA and maybe go 5x daily on it, DCA might be difficult as it is well covered and more drive-able. But maybe a flight to PHL and a few other cities.