B6 finally to announce European routes?
Mar 28, 2019, 6:29 am
#61
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Cape Cod
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Posts: 1,535
I would guess September of 2020 at the earliest. They don't currently have a plane in service that can fly the route. This will likely be the announcement that they are taking the option to convert some of their A321's to A321LR's along with a route announcement. They exercise the options and take delivery a year or so after that? They'll likely run the plane on some short routes and then TCON routes to familiarize the crew and then a first flight to LON some months after that. (Which I will hopefully be on!). This is my totally uneducated guess.
Mar 28, 2019, 7:25 am
#62
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DUB-BOS
Programs: various
Posts: 3,693
As Dn10 notes, Aer Lingus is a JetBlue partner; I can't speak for JFK, but in BOS there are a ton of passengers who connect B6 <-> EI. And JetBlue sells Aer Lingus flights on its website.
I seriously doubt JetBlue would choose to compete with a partner as one of their first TATL routes.
I seriously doubt JetBlue would choose to compete with a partner as one of their first TATL routes.
Mar 29, 2019, 4:04 am
#63
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 79
Their Fleet is 24 Airbus A321s, 7 A330-200s and 2 Boeing 757-200s so there is much compatibility there. They have slots at most of the London airports, including LHR. They have also have partnered with a decent list of other airlines.
I worry about the debt, but it would make an interesting company.
I worry about the debt, but it would make an interesting company.
If i were jetblue I would strongly consider Gatwick if EasyJet want to partner and protect connections. Even a very small % of connections given EasyJet's size at Gatwick could help fill the planes.
Mar 29, 2019, 2:29 pm
#64
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Posts: 599
I think the problem that JetBlue will face is finding a partner airline similar to them on the Atlantic side. Easyjet only offers 29" legroom and doesn't come close to JetBlue service levels. Since JetBlue's European flights will be limited for at least a few years (given the lack of A321LR they'll be getting), I'd think they have the business simply running 2x/day flights to London, Dublin...etc. No need to rush a European airline partnership, especially given that no LCC (that I know of) in Ireland, UK, France or Netherlands wouldn't be a massive drop in quality. Remember, JetBlue can use their upcoming A220 planes for inter-Europe flights...
Mar 29, 2019, 2:53 pm
#65
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 79
I think the problem that JetBlue will face is finding a partner airline similar to them on the Atlantic side. Easyjet only offers 29" legroom and doesn't come close to JetBlue service levels. Since JetBlue's European flights will be limited for at least a few years (given the lack of A321LR they'll be getting), I'd think they have the business simply running 2x/day flights to London, Dublin...etc. No need to rush a European airline partnership, especially given that no LCC (that I know of) in Ireland, UK, France or Netherlands wouldn't be a massive drop in quality. Remember, JetBlue can use their upcoming A220 planes for inter-Europe flights...
Moreover I don't see the downsides. If you are flying to somewhere that the JetBlue option would require connecting onto an EasyJet flight, and the Easyjet aspect makes you book with a different carrier, in the scenario where the partnership doesn't exist, JetBlue still doesn't get that ticket sale as they can't fly them to where they need to go. Yes there is small damage of reputation damage from bleed across but if the traveller is clued up enough to know they specifically prefer Jetblue for their comfortable cabins, then they are probably clued up enough to spot and understand a codeshare/connecting partner.
Using their own A220s for internal flights on the European side simply won't happen. The EU wouldn't give them the 5th freedoms to do so unless the US agreed to give EU carriers similar privileges in the US - which ain't happening.
Mar 31, 2019, 5:26 pm
#66
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP
Posts: 7,170
I think most of the concerns around service and leg room are substantially dealt with by the connecting flights likely being sub 2hr - and realistically the service would a snack bag and a soft drink; hardly life changing - especially when Easyjet offer their full Buy on Board which is regarded favourably.
Moreover I don't see the downsides. If you are flying to somewhere that the JetBlue option would require connecting onto an EasyJet flight, and the Easyjet aspect makes you book with a different carrier, in the scenario where the partnership doesn't exist, JetBlue still doesn't get that ticket sale as they can't fly them to where they need to go. Yes there is small damage of reputation damage from bleed across but if the traveller is clued up enough to know they specifically prefer Jetblue for their comfortable cabins, then they are probably clued up enough to spot and understand a codeshare/connecting partner.
Using their own A220s for internal flights on the European side simply won't happen. The EU wouldn't give them the 5th freedoms to do so unless the US agreed to give EU carriers similar privileges in the US - which ain't happening.
Moreover I don't see the downsides. If you are flying to somewhere that the JetBlue option would require connecting onto an EasyJet flight, and the Easyjet aspect makes you book with a different carrier, in the scenario where the partnership doesn't exist, JetBlue still doesn't get that ticket sale as they can't fly them to where they need to go. Yes there is small damage of reputation damage from bleed across but if the traveller is clued up enough to know they specifically prefer Jetblue for their comfortable cabins, then they are probably clued up enough to spot and understand a codeshare/connecting partner.
Using their own A220s for internal flights on the European side simply won't happen. The EU wouldn't give them the 5th freedoms to do so unless the US agreed to give EU carriers similar privileges in the US - which ain't happening.
Apr 1, 2019, 6:31 am
#67
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott LTG, HHonors Diamond, Nat'l Exec
Posts: 3,581
In any case, B6 has partnerships with several alliance airlines -- QR and TP come to mind -- and unless passengers are going to an AA hub, OW doesn't really have any flights to offer to EI passengers in BOS. So my guess is nothing would change right away.
Unrelatedly -- wonder if JetBlue will be able to pick up any of WOW's planes now that they're gone? Seems like they'd be a good match and a potential offset for the delayed Airbus deliveries in 2019. Plus they're presumably already ETOPS capable...
Apr 4, 2019, 6:15 pm
#70
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Cape Cod
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Posts: 1,535
Last edited by MSYtoJFKagain; Apr 4, 2019 at 6:21 pm
Apr 5, 2019, 2:44 pm
#72
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