JetBlue to launch low-cost flights from London to New York and Boston in 2021

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Low-cost US airline JetBlue announced its first international routes last night – but not until 2021.

The airline will be launching daily flights from London to both New York JFK and Boston.

You are probably wondering which airport JetBlue will use. It isn’t saying, and for good reason. In the US, it is lobbying hard for Delta, Virgin Atlantic, KLM and Air France to be forced to sacrifice slots at London Heathrow in return for allowing their expanded joint venture to be approved.

JetBlue to launch London from New York and Boston

If Heathrow slots are released, JetBlue wants them. If they are not, it is likely to choose Gatwick instead.

It isn’t a coincidence that Delta announced last week that it would launch services to Gatwick from New York and Boston in 2020 ….

You can bet a few pounds that British Airways or American Airlines will be launching Gatwick to Boston next year too. BA already operates Gatwick to New York, and Norwegian flies from Gatwick to New York and Boston. It is a crowded field.

JetBlue will use single-aisle A321LR aircraft, of which it has 13 on order. These are the same planes that Aer Lingus is using to expand its schedule to the US East Coast, since this new variant of the A321 has enough fuel capacity to cross the Atlantic.

As well as London, the planes also have the reach to fly from JetBlue’s Boston and JFK bases to Amsterdam, Dublin, Lisbon, Madrid and Paris.

JetBlue has a premium cabin called Mint. It is promising to “reimagine” Mint for transatlantic services, offering “premium service at a fraction of fares offered today”.

2021 is a long way away, however, and a lot can happen in aviation in two years. It remains to be seen whether JetBlue can survive a pincer movement from BA / AA, Virgin / Delta and Norwegian.

Category

British Airways and Avios, Virgin Atlantic and Flying Club

This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.

Dwadda says:

11 Apr11 April 09:36

Hmm, I think that standard seat pitch on Jetblue is 32″, and 18″ seat width (being an A320).

That is much better than BA’s 29″ pitch and 17.2″ width (claimed for 787).

Jetblue will have the most comfortable economy seating crossing the pond. You can pay a little extra for 34-36″ seat pitch too, so that will eat into premium economy market.

Bring on the comfort competition.
- David says:
  
  11 Apr11 April 10:02
  
  Pitch doesn’t always correlate with legroom though.
  - Dwadda says:
    
    11 Apr11 April 13:19
    
    As someone who has flown 20 flights (only 8 in biz) and 75000 km since January (an app I use told me) my personal experience is that seat pitch is very much correlated to my comfort.
    
    The newer thinner seats are literally a pain in ass for longer trips.
- Doug M says:
  
  11 Apr11 April 10:45
  
  I’ve used JetBlue in the US as they’re almost always cheaper when I’ve checked. Economy on their flights is fine, legroom and comfort all good. I really like them. Great IFE options.
John Pagani says:

11 Apr11 April 11:58

I’ve personally flown mint several times, jfk-lax, if they can truly reduce fares and fly from lhr, I’d say they’re onto a winner. The convivial service with a hint of sass makes for a very enjoyable experience, especially after a couple of their own signature cocktail called MINT. . The food is tapas style and the amenity kit regularly revolves around the latest hip beauty products from either city.
- Alan says:
  
  11 Apr11 April 20:24
  
  Agree, have read lots of positive reviews re JetBlue (esp their MINT product).
Dwadda says:

11 Apr11 April 13:25

O/T is BA considering 10 abreast on 777? That’s 16.5″ seat width.. That should be against the law. You are in physical contact with your neighbours. “Armpit to the left of me, armpit to the right…”

Cathay has done it. I refuse to fly economy on those planes. I check every plane, this practice is inhumane.
- Richard says:
  
  11 Apr11 April 14:59
  
  considering? BA already has some/many 777s that are 10 abreast?
- riku2 says:
  
  11 Apr11 April 15:24
  
  most airlines are doing it and if they haven’t done it already then it’s just a matter of time. Ironically the Japanese airlines don’t squeeze in the seats even though people in japan are generally smaller than people in Europe. The same on Japanese trains. a huge amount of knee room even in second class.
  when I walk down the aisle in economy of a BA 787 I can’t even walk straight, i have to walk sideways like a crab since the aisle is so narrow.
- John says:
  
  11 Apr11 April 15:54
  
  You refuse, but all those new middle classes are grabbing up those economy fares like crazy.