Is jetBlue having trouble finding passengers?
 

read the following...

JetBlue Takes Off From Orlando to JFK From Just $49 Through June 30
Airline Offers New Planes, Leather Seats, Personal Satellite TV and Fares up to 80% Less than the Competition
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 21, 2000-- JetBlue Airways inaugurated twice-daily service today between Orlando International Airport and New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport with ongoing fares that are up to 80% less than the competition.

The airline announced today a special introductory fare of just $49 one-way for northbound service through June 30. A third daily flight will be added on July 6, with a fourth to start on August 3.

JetBlue's regular low fares range from $79 to $99, with a 14-day advance purchase, and from $109 to $129, with a 7-day advance purchase. These advance purchase fares offer a savings of up to 80 percent, versus current advance purchase fares in the market (which range from $79 to $405).

JetBlue's 'walk-up' fare is $159 one-way, with no advance purchase, which represents a savings of up to 69 percent compared to current fares (which range from $216 to $514).

JetBlue is the only airline serving the New York-Orlando route with LiveTV at every seat, featuring 24 channels of DirecTV programming including CNN Headline News, ESPN, the Travel Channel, the Weather Channel and Boomerang, the Cartoon Network's new channel featuring classic cartoons for the whole family. The service will be free for all passengers for the month of June.

JetBlue's schedule to Orlando offers convenience for both north-bound and south-bound travelers, as well as convenient through-plane or connecting service between Orlando and Buffalo:


New York (JFK) to Orlando (MCO)
Departs Arrives Effective
JFK to MCO
7:40 am - 10:20 am(a) June 21
9:50 am - 12:35 pm(c) August 3
1:35 pm - 4:20 pm August 22
3:00 pm - 5:50 pm July 6
5:30 pm - 8:20 pm Jun 21-Aug 21

Orlando (MCO) to New York (JFK)
Departs Arrives Effective
MCO to JFK
11:00 am - 1:30 pm June 21
1:15 pm - 3:45 pm(c) August3
4:55 pm - 7:30 pm August 22
6:25 pm - 8:55 pm July 6
8:55 pm - 11:25 pm(b) June 21- Aug 21

(a) operates except Sundays
(b) operates except Saturdays
(c) operates 45 minutes earlier as of August 22

``With new planes, leather seats, personal satellite TV, and the friendliest crews you'll meet, JetBlue isn't just bringing low fare travel between New York and Orlando, we're bringing a better travel experience,'' said David Neeleman, JetBlue's Chief Executive Officer.

Orlando is JetBlue's third destination in Florida and fourth destination overall from New York. From JFK, JetBlue serves Buffalo, NY, and Ft. Lauderdale and Tampa, Fl, with three daily flights each. As of July 6, JetBlue will fly a fleet of five brand-new, environmentally-friendly aircraft featuring LiveTV at every seat, roomy all-leather seating and spacious overhead bins. JetBlue expects to serve 10 cities by the end of the year with 10 new Airbus A320 aircraft.

JetBlue will commence daily service from JFK to Los Angeles' Ontario International Airport on July 21 and to Oakland International Airport in the San Francisco Bay area on August 3. Also on August 3, the airline will launch twice daily service to Rochester, building to four flights daily by August 22. On commencement of these services, through-plane or connecting service also will be available between these destinations and Orlando.

All JetBlue travel is ticketless, all fares are one-way, and a Saturday night stay is never required. For more information, schedules, and fares, please visit our website at www.jetblue.com or call JetBlue reservations at 1- 800 - JETBLUE (538-2583).

(a) Fares do not include a $2.50 Federal Segment tax or $3.00 Airport Passenger Facility Charge.

$49, thats way under a price they can charge and make money with...
Jason

I wouldn't at all make that assumption based on that press release. It's not uncommon for an airline to offer very low introductory fares, and you realize that these fares are valid for only a little more than one week in one direction, don't you? And it says "from $49." There may be only a few seats on each flight where that fare is valid.

A few years ago, Southwest had a fare sale of $25 each way systemwide and capacity controlled and was valid for travel for several months, not just 9 days. Southwest surely wasn't have trouble finding passengers.

Why would any anyone but the curious fly on Jet Blue ?

No frequent flyer program and the majors match the fares.

I see so many people with airline affinity credit cards charging stuff at the supermarket & department stores that I think even the infrequent flyer is going after building airmiles on a major carrier.

Posted about 82 hrs (3 and a half days) ago:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/001788.html

These kind of fares often go fast! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

"JetBlue's 'walk-up' fare is $159 one-way, with no advance purchase, which represents a savings of up to 69 percent compared to current fares (which range from $216 to $514)." Not to mention the leather seats and personal satellite TV units at each seat.

Does that answer your question 747?

A frequent flyer program is rather meaningless to a family who flies once or twice a year, and believe me, that's the case with lots of people visiting the Orlando-area parks.

Weren't inexpensive fares to upstate part of the approval deal for them?

I flew jetBlue this weekend on the spur of the moment BUF-JFK and back, for $209 on a walkup fare. Just felt like being in the City, and didn't feel like driving 7 hours. Being a spoiled United brat, I was a bit nervous about flying a startup that didn't even have a frequent flyer program... but I was very pleasantly surprised at my experience. Leather seats, brand new A320 aircraft, in seat video at every seat, with DirecTV (for which they waived the usual $5 charge on the short hops I was on), a snack and beverage even though our flight was only 50 minutes (hear that United Express???), and a ground and flight crew that were professional, courteous, and efficient. In short, one of the best coach class experiences I've had with any airline. Granted, right now about all they're good for to me is hopping into the City, but they seem to have grandiose plans ahead. We shall see...

Oh yeah, and Blue potato chips!

747 - as to why anyone would fly JetBlue, with their upcoming new service from ROC - JFK , they will be the only airline flying that route with Jet service.

There is limited jet service from ROC to LGA, but limited number of flights. Most flights from NYC to ROC are on turboprops or regional jets.

You all have made good points but I still think in the long run new airlines will have a tough time without a Frequent Flyer program.

Watch at the supermarket which credit cards people pull out...

I know the best service will be on a new carrier but I still would like to earn that free first class ticket to Hong Kong!

747 - which are you more interested in... fly a crappy "major" airline and getting ff miles or actually take pleasure in flying on a small fry w/o a ff program??
Jason

rfrost, the answer to your question is yes, as to getting landing rights at JFK. My understanding is that in order for JetBlue to serve JFK, they had to provide jet service to an underserved airport and IIRC in New York state.