The place to subsequent? 5 European locations that JetBlue would possibly add

It is no secret that JetBlue’s transatlantic ambitions aren’t limited to London.

Earlier this week, the provider unveiled the small print of its hotly anticipated new service from New York to Paris, with flights commencing June 29. Flights from Boston to the French capital are anticipated to be added later this yr.

However whereas JetBlue could also be gearing up for this summer time’s massive Paris inaugural, the airline’s community planners are possible already excited about what’s subsequent. In spite of everything, the airline is slated to obtain 5 new Airbus A321LR, or long-range, plane this yr. It’s going to additionally add 13 A321XLRs, or extra-long-range, jets beginning in 2024.

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So, the place will JetBlue fly subsequent? Listed below are some prime contenders.

Amsterdam

This one should not come as a lot of a shock to aviation observers.

With some luck (and plenty of coaxing), JetBlue’s subsequent vacation spot will possible be Amsterdam. The provider just lately petitioned the U.S. Division of Transportation for assist gaining access to slots at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS).

To date, the airline has been unsuccessful in securing takeoff and touchdown rights to the capital of the Netherlands. “Entrenched legacy carriers and joint ventures which have been round for years are impeding the flexibility for others to develop,” Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue’s president and chief working officer, stated in a recent interview with TPG.

If JetBlue ultimately wins the slots it must serve Amsterdam, it’s going to add flights there. “We’re persevering with to knock on their door and hope that in some unspecified time in the future they open it and allow us to in,” Geraghty stated.

Moreover, the airline already has a codeshare partnership with Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus, and the 2 airways are co-located in New York and Boston. JetBlue might possible add flights that complement Aer Lingus’ present service.

Again within the day, JetBlue had a codeshare partnership with TAP Air Portugal. The pact meant that vacationers might e book flights to and from Portugal by JetBlue, with the New York-based provider offering the home feed to TAP’s U.S. gateways.

Though the partnership now not exists, again in 2017, as a lot as 17% of TAP’s overall transatlantic passenger traffic got here from JetBlue’s feed.

Whereas demand patterns change over time, there does not appear to be a scarcity of vacationers flying between the U.S. and Europe. So, it is attainable JetBlue might give Lisbon a strive by itself.

There’s a steady stream of travelers headed to or from the capital of Denmark, particularly throughout the hotter months, so it is attainable that Copenhagen might turn into a seasonal marketplace for JetBlue.

The Airbus A321LR has a spread of 4,000 nautical miles (although it might range relying on the cabin configuration). Copenhagen is actually inside that vary from New York and Boston (3,340 and three,179 nautical miles, respectively).

Rome

One other main European vacation spot that may be on JetBlue’s future route map is Rome. Nonetheless, serving the Italian capital with its present fleet of A321LRs might pose an issue.

That is as a result of Rome is about 3,700 nautical miles away from New York, which is probably going pushing the vary of the A321LR, particularly when the jet faces robust headwinds within the westbound course.

So whereas Rome is probably not imminent, it is possible a prime contender for JetBlue’s upcoming Airbus A321XLRs, which supply a further 700 nautical miles of vary over the LR variant.

With an order for 13 XLRs, JetBlue could have the flexibleness to decide on the way it deploys these jets. Along with pushing deeper into continental Europe, this can possible permit the airline so as to add extra routes to present European cities from farther away within the U.S.

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