Jetblue is clear about what he wants from a new airline partner: more points on his map.
“The most important thing, number one, is a significantly higher network opportunity to win and burn Thrueblue Points, “said Marty St. George, president of Jetblue, during the airline First quarter earnings Call on Tuesday.
St. George continued to describe a scenario in which a frequent leal brochure must go to Boise or Omaha, but, given the current route map of the airline, which is very oriented to the east coast, it cannot. The new carrier’s couple, an American domestic airline still without name, will fill that void.
The new partner will also fill a vacuum that remains after 2023 Judicial mandate They forced Jetblue and American Airlines to end their association known as the Northeast Alliance. The two airlines have spent most of two years unrolling the pact, although some outstanding articles still do not resolve. American Airlines Demand filed in Texas On Monday for more than $ 1 million, he states that Jetblue must.
“This is not an expected turn,” said Joanna Geraghty, CEO of Jetblue, on the demand on Tuesday.
One thing is Of course: American will not be Jetblue’s new domestic partner.
“Although we proposed a very attractive proposal to Jetblue and his clients and team, it was clear with the time Jetblue focused on different commercial priorities,” wrote Steve Johnson, vice president of American and strategy director, in a letter to the staff on Monday.
With American out of the image, Jetblue’s best options to expand the amplitude of his American road map for Trueblue members are carriers such as Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines.
Jetblue plans to announce his new American partner at the end of June, said St. George.
Daily Bulletin
Reward your entrance tray with the TPG Diario Bulletin
Join more than 700,000 readers to receive news, in -depth guides and exclusive agreements of TPG experts
At least 2 newer cities that will arrive in 2025
“There will be multiple new points at the end of this year on the route map,” said St. George in response to a question about whether the airline planned any additional expansion in 2025. He added that “multiple” could mean only two new cities, without elaborating.
The additions occur after Jetblue reduced its schedule by 4.3% in the first quarter compared to 2024 and plans to reduce it up to 3.5% in the second quarter. The airline has suspended its full -year perspective, citing macroeconomic uncertainty.
The demand for American national trips has slowed since President Trump took office in January. For Jetblue, the reserves decreased in January, February and March, but they have stabilized (although at a lower level than the initial forecast) since the beginning of April, St.george said.
“I wouldn’t do something so simple as to say that this is a red recession versus blue of what you want to call it,” he continued. “But it seems that the coasts seem to be affected a little more.”
The deceleration has led Jetblue to cut the flight outside the time Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. The cuts follow the airline Leave 15 cities and dozens of routes Since the beginning of 2024 as part of a larger restructuring known as Jetforward that aims to return Jetblue to regular profitability.
The airline even took a new planned service to Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) in Nueva Scotia of Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) that had to begin in June.
The profits eluded Jetblue in the first quarter when the airline reported a net loss of $ 208 million in revenues of $ 2.1 billion.
Before the last deceleration, Jetblue had presented plans to add Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (Crazy), Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) In New Hampshire, Norfolk International Airport (ORF) In Virginia, Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport (SAP) in Honduras, Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) in Michigan and Wilmington International Airport (ILM) in North Carolina to its map in 2025.
Jetblue’s loyalty and premium bets are doing their fruit
Jetblue executives seemed happy with the airline’s decision to double their premium and loyalty offers before the last deceleration. Both segments of their business surpassed economic leisure trips in the first quarter.
In January, the airline presented the new Jetblue Premier Card With a lot of benefits. That addition helped boost a 7% increase in spending on the credit card with collection during the first quarter.
The information for the Jetblue Premier card has been independently collected by the type of points. The details of the card on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Jetblue too He renamed his extra-legroom even more spatial seats like “even more” In January. As part of the change, the carrier turned the seats into their own class of rates that travelers can select during the reserve process instead of a complement after reserving a flight.
However, really exciting things come later this year, when Jetblue will present his anxious hope. First class domestic. The new seats will be established in a 2-2 configuration and will be located at the front of their Airbus A320 family and A220 aircraft. Beyond that, the airline has been calm with the details.
The airline also plans to present its First Airport Lounge at the John F. Kennedy International Airport of New York City (JFK) in the fourth quarter and a Bos living room in 2026.
Related reading:
