The rumors going around are strong right now. If someone in the Charlotte area could back this up, there is supposed to be an article in the Charlotte Observer claiming that Jetblue will announce service to Bos and JFK.

Neelman and Barger will be in Boston on Tuesday, where supposedly they will be announcing the plans of the 190.

I look forward to it.

There is no question that one of the first E-190 routes will be a New York-Boston shuttle, apparently the plan was to have fares as low as $50 each way. Charlotte makes a lot of sense as well, but expect U.S. Airways to go ape when JetBlue rolls into town. More flights from them to NYC and BOS. If JetBlue's flights are from JFK, think about how U.S. Air can exploit the convenience of LaGuardia or Newark. It's going to be a tough fight, and it may be too much for B6.

I don't know how "ape" they can go. Southwest entered Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, and have been a success. Airtran also entered the Charlotte market, and they have been flying out full planes. And even Independence Air can be part of the mix, as some of their most popular flights are from IAD to:BOS, CLT, and PIT, all of these are very important for US. I don't think they have much levrage left. If the fares are low enough, my guess is people will go to Jetblue.

I think they have more leverage now that they have America West backing them. While HP certainly wasn't a big player in the CLT market, it may be an incentive for some business travelers to stay with US, as the combined network is so good. Also, US downsized PIT, and has made some adjustments in PHL. With fares as high as they are in CLT there is a lot up for grabs. If JetBlue makes significant progress in stealing business travelers US has a lot to lose. CLT not as big an o/d market as PHL, but the yields are wonderful. If a viable CLT hub isn't possible due to low-fare competitors, then what will be the weight on the other side of the barbell? US has resorted to CLT to add service and make the real money. They will fight, and I am worried that memories of Atlanta have been erased from Neeleman's mind.

Atlanta would be a little different then Charlotte would be. Jetblue never flew to NY from Atlanta. Only California. If these flights come to fruition, Jetblue would have established customers in both New York and Boston. And I am sure there would be articles in all the papers publicly endorsing Jetblue. (Never ceases to amaze me how they get newspapers to eat out of their hand. Not blaming them, it is just impressive how they are still everyone's favorite airline.)

Can't wait till Tuesday.

I was flying out of RSW today and saw a shiny new tug-bar labeled "Embrear 170/190" on the ramp between the 2 JetBlue gates ... also the ramp has the front wheel marks for the E190 painted down (its the same line as a parked A320).

Is this something they are buying for all their stations and doesnt mean anything ... or ... ? *shrug*

looking forward to BOS-JFK....

Trust me after moving down here to Charlotte just recently and seeing the flight prices out of CLT I am more than happy to welcome any competitive airline into the fray here to save $$$$ on travel. I've grown up a Delta brat and have only used US Air on routes that were most economical for puddle jumper flights. I am more than happy to fly US if they can keep their prices in line to build up more FF miles with them.

It's amazing that you can drive about 90 miles to Greensboro and connect back thru Charlotte and tickets are about 50 % less than flying direct out of CLT. Also If your lucky with your flight schedule you can take the Amtrak train roundtrip from CLT to GSO for about $ 25 and save the drive.

CLT-JFK will be a hard fight for B6. US has a heavy schedule to both LGA and EWR - both more convenient - and a firecly loyal following - many of who have deep pockets. With HP backing it, US can afford a fare war and few except for some leisure travelers who want the novelty of B6 will have the incentive.

Note the AirTran and Independence, they make a very very small percentage of flights at CLT right now. And indpendence looks to be going under.

they can get US by the b_lls if they can succeed in pricing out JFK-CLT properly. If they can swing $69-79 each way, they can compeete w/ US. I cant count the times for business Ive flown LGA-CLT on a Tues-Wed trip and paid $600 on US. If jetblue is offered for $200 RT, Id much prefer Jetblue. I mean its a measly 500 miles wahcway on US anyway--i'd rather fly in comfort and style and watch some CNBC on the way down....Its debatable whether the 4-8 TB ptsmight be of the same vakue as the 1000 miles ....(not talking about CP bonuses etc)

The more flight options out of JFK, the better!

They have the best PR staff in the airlines industry and must have a PR agency helping them out (again, wonderfully) as well. A positive article is better than advertising.

I would bet that all east coast B6 stations will be set up to handle the E190 just in case a plane diverts. It is also useful to have flexibility to schedule extra sections and/or charters.

However, with the AirTrain, and the fact that JFK seems to be a less delay-prone airport than LGA, it's certainly possible to see a shift of business travelers to B6. Also, as small as it seems, having CNN and CNBC onboard is a big deal for these banking types. If the service does well EWR could be the next airport for CLT. JetBlue doesn't have to bring fares down too much, since the fares are already so high, and they won't be competing with AirTran too much. It's a great deal for JetBlue as they are warning of a fourth-quarter loss. . Makes plenty sense to me, but it's JetBlue, and NYC-CLT may be NYC-IAD, a possibility that hasn't been discussed too much.

Will BUF continue to see 320 or maybe a mix of both 320 and E190?