- First-ever Central American destination expands network to 53 cities in
nine countries -
- Sale fares start at US $99 (a) each way -
ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- JetBlue Airways
Corporation (Nasdaq: JBLU), New York's hometown value airline, today announces
plans to broaden its Latin American presence with new daily nonstop service to
its 53rd Blue City: San Jose, Costa Rica. Service between Orlando
International Airport (MCO) and Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)
will begin March 26, 2009, subject to receipt of Costa Rican government
operating authority. San Jose is the airline's first destination in Central
America, making Costa Rica the ninth country in the airline's route network.
Fares as low as $99 (a) are available between Orlando and San Jose for
travel purchased today through December 23, 2008, while average everyday fares
will start at $139 each way. San Jose will become JetBlue's 22nd nonstop
destination from its growing focus city at Orlando. The airline will further
expand its commitment to Central Florida by adding two additional destinations
in early 2009: daily nonstop service to Bogota, Colombia, its first-ever South
American destination, begins January 29, 2009, and to Nassau, Bahamas, on
February 1, 2009.
"JetBlue remains committed to growing our Latin American and Caribbean
destinations in the New Year and we are thrilled to offer Orlando residents
with the only nonstop daily service to the beautiful city of San Jose, Costa
Rica," said JetBlue's Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer
Robin Hayes at a press conference at Juan Santamaria International Airport
this afternoon. "Orlando remains a vital part of our route network as we
continue to add direct flights to new international cities like Bogota and
Nassau. Central Floridians continue to make JetBlue their carrier of choice,
giving us the ability to offer more destinations and more value when they
travel."
"The new route by JetBlue to San Jose, Costa Rica further enhances and
complements our air service into the Latin American and Caribbean basin and
affords a new level of convenience in travel not previously experienced
between San Jose and OIA," said Steve Gardner, Executive Director Orlando
International Airport. "JetBlue's flight schedule and designation of Orlando
as a focus city broadens the opportunity for travel to Costa Rica and further
establishes our city as a gateway to the Latin American markets. We look
forward to JetBlue's success in this new market and continued future expansion
into the region."
For Costa Rica's Tourist Minister, Carlos Ricardo Benavides, the arrival
of JetBlue to Costa Rica represents new opportunities to connect the country
with the United States, which is one of the most important markets in tourist
arrivals.
"The United States is still our biggest market, and the arrival of JetBlue
and its new Orlando route opens new possibilities for Americans to visit us
and for Costa Ricans to have more options to visit the U.S.," said Minister
Benavides.
JetBlue's schedule between Orlando and San Jose:
Depart Orlando (MCO) at 10:40 a.m.; Arrive San Jose (SJO) at 11:53 a.m.
Operates daily effective March 26, 2009
Depart San Jose (SJO) at 12:48 p.m.; Arrive Orlando (MCO) at 5:55 p.m.
Operates daily effective March 26, 2009
Customers jetting from New York's John F. Kennedy or LaGuardia airports,
Boston and 10 other JetBlue destinations in the U.S. mainland can also book
convenient connecting service to San Jose, including: Austin, Texas;
Burlington, Vermont; Buffalo, Newburgh, Rochester, Syracuse and White Plains,
New York; Newark, New Jersey; Portland, Maine; Richmond, Virginia; and
Washington, D.C./Dulles.
JetBlue's connecting schedule from New York (JFK):
Depart New York (JFK) at 7:10 a.m.; Arrive Orlando (MCO) at 9:58 a.m.
Depart Orlando (MCO) at 10:40 a.m.; Arrive San Jose (SJO) at 11:53 a.m.
Operates daily effective March 26, 2009
Depart San Jose (SJO) at 12:48 p.m.; Arrive Orlando (MCO) at 5:55 p.m.
Depart Orlando (MCO) 8:55 p.m.; Arrive New York (JFK) at 11:28 p.m.
Operates daily effective March 26, 2009
JetBlue's connecting schedule from Boston (BOS):
Depart New York (JFK) at 6:25 a.m.; Arrive Orlando (MCO) at 9:23 a.m.
Depart Orlando (MCO) at 10:40 a.m.; Arrive San Jose (SJO) at 11:53 a.m.
Operates daily effective March 26, 2009
Depart San Jose (SJO) at 12:48 p.m.; Arrive Orlando (MCO) at 5:55 p.m.
Depart Orlando (MCO) 7:55 p.m.; Arrive Boston (BOS) at 10:48 p.m.
Operates daily effective March 26, 2009
JetBlue will operate service to Costa Rica with its 100-seat EMBRAER E190,
which offers coveted two-by-two seating (with no middle seat!), seatback
televisions (including programming en Espanol), all-leather seating, the most
legroom in coach of any U.S. airline, and unlimited free snacks and beverages.
Customers will also be treated to the best customer service in the industry,
delivered by the airline's friendly and award-winning crewmembers.
About JetBlue Airways
New York-based JetBlue Airways has created a new airline category based on
value, service and style. Known for its award-winning service and free TV as
much as its low fares, JetBlue is now pleased to offer customers Lots of
Legroom and super-spacious Even More Legroom seats. JetBlue introduced
complimentary in-flight e-mail and instant messaging services on aircraft
"BetaBlue," a first among U.S. domestic airlines. JetBlue is also America's
first and only airline to offer its own Customer Bill of Rights, with
meaningful and specific compensation for customers inconvenienced by service
disruptions within JetBlue's control. Visit www.jetblue.com/promise for
details. JetBlue currently serves 51 cities with 600 daily flights. With
JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all travel is ticketless, all fares are
one-way, and an overnight stay is never required. For information or
reservations in English or Spanish call 1-800-JETBLUE (1-800-538-2583) or
visit www.jetblue.com.
(a) All fares are subject to change without notice. Fares are only
available for flights booked at jetblue.com. Travel costs $15 more per person
if purchased by telephone or at an airport or city ticket office. Fares
require up to a 21-day advance purchase. Travel must be booked by December 23,
2008, 11:59 PM MT. Travel must begin on March 26, 2009. Fares may not be
available on all days or on all flights. Fares are most often found on midweek
travel dates. All fares must be purchased at time of reservation, and are
one-way, nonrefundable, and nontransferable. Cancellations and changes can be
made prior to scheduled departure for $100 per person at 1-800-JETBLUE or at
jetblue.com, with applicable fare adjustment. Cancellations are for a JetBlue
travel credit only, which is valid for one year. If a reservation is not
changed or canceled prior to scheduled departure, all money associated with
the reservation is forfeited. Fares do not include Passenger Facility Charges
of up to $9 each way, September 11th Security Fees of up to $5 each way and a
Federal Segment Tax of $3.50 per domestic segment. A segment is a takeoff and
landing. International fares also do not include government fees and taxes of
up to $37.43 each way. All taxes and fees must be paid at the time of
purchase. JetBlue reserves the right to deny boarding to passengers without
proper documentation. A second bag fee of $20 applies. DIRECTV(r) service is
not available on flights outside the continental US. Other restrictions apply.
(C)2008 JetBlue Airways
This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature which
represent our management's beliefs and assumptions concerning future events.
Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and
are based on information currently available to us. Actual results may differ
materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements due to many
factors, including, without limitation, our extremely competitive industry;
increases in fuel prices, maintenance costs and interest rates; our ability to
implement our growth strategy, including the ability to operate reliably the
EMBRAER 190 aircraft and our new terminal at JFK; our significant fixed
obligations; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel and
maintain our culture as we grow; our reliance on high daily aircraft
utilization; our dependence on the New York metropolitan market and the effect
of increased congestion in this market; our reliance on automated systems and
technology; our being subject to potential unionization; our reliance on a
limited number of suppliers; changes in or additional government regulation;
changes in our industry due to other airlines' financial condition; and
external geopolitical events and conditions. Further information concerning
these and other factors is contained in the Company's Securities and Exchange
Commission filings, including but not limited to, the Company's 2007 Annual
Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We undertake no
obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or
circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.
SOURCE JetBlue Airways Corporation
12/10/2008
/CONTACT: JetBlue Corporate Communications, +1-718-709-3089,
CorporateCommunications@jetblue.com, or JetBlue Reservations, +800-JET-BLUE,
(538-2583)/
/Web Site: http://www.jetblue.com /