JetBlue facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
JetBlue Airways

A JetBlue Airbus A321
Founded	August 1998; 27 years ago (1998-08) originally as NewAir
Commenced operations	February 11, 2000; 25 years ago (2000-02-11)
AOC #	YENA176J
Focus cities	Boston Fort Lauderdale New York–JFK Orlando Los Angeles San Juan
Frequent-flyer program	TrueBlue
Subsidiaries	JetBlue Travel Products JetBlue Ventures
Fleet size	286
Destinations	114
Headquarters	Brewster Building, Long Island City, Queens, New York City, U.S.
Key people	Joanna Geraghty (CEO) Marty St. George (President) Peter Boneparth (Chairman)
Revenue	US$9.3 billion (2024)
Operating income	US$-0.684 billion (2024)
Net income	US$-0.795 billion (2024)
Total assets	US$16.8 billion (2024)
Total equity	US$2.6 billion (2024)
Employees	23,000+ (2024)

JetBlue Airways Corporation, often called jetBlue, is an American low-cost airline. Its main office is in Long Island City, Queens, New York City. JetBlue flies to many places across the Americas and Europe. It focuses on direct flights between cities. Its main hub is at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. JetBlue works with other airlines through special agreements, even though it's not part of a big global airline group.

How JetBlue Started and Grew

Early Days: 1998-2000

JetBlue began in August 1998 in Delaware. The founder, David Neeleman, started the company in August 1999. It was first called "NewAir." JetBlue wanted to offer low-cost flights, like Southwest Airlines. But it also wanted to be special by offering cool features. These included in-flight entertainment, TV at every seat, and Sirius XM satellite radio.

JetBlue mostly used Airbus A320 family planes. This made maintenance easier, similar to how Southwest uses mostly Boeing 737s. In September 1999, JetBlue got permission for 75 take-off and landing slots at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Flights officially started on February 11, 2000. The first flights went to Buffalo and Fort Lauderdale.

The founders first thought of naming the airline "Taxi" and painting planes yellow. This was to connect the airline to New York City. But a big investor, JP Morgan, threatened to pull its money. So, the name was changed to JetBlue.

Growing Through the 2000s

JetBlue was one of the few U.S. airlines that made money after the September 11 attacks. The company's plan to offer shares to the public was delayed. But it happened in April 2002, raising $260 million. Other airlines like Delta Air Lines and United Airlines tried to start their own low-cost airlines to compete. However, these rival airlines were later stopped.

In 2005, JetBlue's profits dropped because fuel costs were rising. The airline also had high costs for its many special features. This made it harder to compete. Analysts thought JetBlue was growing too fast. But the airline kept adding planes and routes.

JetBlue had its first loss in late 2005. This was the first time it lost money since becoming a public company in 2002. To fix this, JetBlue started a "Return to Profitability" plan. This plan aimed to cut costs and increase earnings. By early 2007, JetBlue was making a profit again.

In February 2007, a big snowstorm caused problems for JetBlue. The airline usually tried not to cancel flights. But the storm forced them to cancel many, costing JetBlue $30 million. After this, David Barger became the new CEO. He replaced founder David Neeleman.

JetBlue also started working with Aer Lingus in 2007. This allowed passengers to easily switch between the two airlines for connecting flights. Later, in 2007, JetBlue also partnered with Lufthansa. This deal allowed them to sell tickets for each other's flights. It also helped with luggage transfers and frequent flyer programs.

In 2008, JetBlue added Orlando, Florida, as a new focus city for international flights. These flights went to places like Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. JetBlue also opened its new main hub at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in October 2008. This new building, called Terminal 5, cost about $800 million.

In 2009, JetBlue thought about moving its headquarters. But in 2010, it decided to stay in New York City. It moved its main office to the Brewster Building in Long Island City, New York.

JetBlue in the 2010s

In 2010, JetBlue made agreements with South African Airways and American Airlines. These deals helped passengers transfer luggage between airlines. In 2012, JetBlue was named "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Low Cost Carriers" for the eighth year in a row.

JetBlue launched its Mint premium cabin service in 2013 with new Airbus A321 aircraft.

In 2013, JetBlue introduced Mint, a special premium cabin service. This service started in 2014 on certain Airbus A321-200 planes. These planes have "lie-flat" seats and private areas.

In 2014, JetBlue's pilots voted to join a union for the first time. Also in 2014, Dave Barger stepped down as CEO. Robin Hayes took his place.

In 2015, JetBlue started charging for checked bags on some tickets. This made Southwest Airlines the only major U.S. airline not to charge for bags. In 2015, JetBlue also began charter flights to Cuba. By August 2016, JetBlue had the first regular commercial flight from the U.S. to Cuba in 55 years.

In 2016, JetBlue painted one of its Airbus A320 planes in a 1960s style. It was called "What's Old is Blue Again." In 2019, JetBlue announced plans for flights to London from Boston and New York. They ordered special long-range planes for these routes.

JetBlue in the 2020s

In January 2020, JetBlue announced it wanted to become carbon neutral for all its domestic flights. This means balancing out the carbon it puts into the air.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused many changes for airlines. JetBlue reduced passenger capacity by blocking middle seats. It also offered programs for employees to take time off. By August 2020, JetBlue made face masks mandatory on flights.

In July 2020, JetBlue and American Airlines formed a partnership called the "Northeast Alliance." This allowed them to share passengers and coordinate flights in New York and Boston. However, a court ruled against this partnership in May 2023. The court said it was unfair to competition. JetBlue ended the alliance.

In February 2021, JetBlue introduced a new Mint product called Mint Suite. This was for its new planes flying to London and some flights to Los Angeles. In April 2021, JetBlue expanded into Canada with new flights to Vancouver.

In May 2022, JetBlue tried to buy Spirit Airlines. Spirit first rejected the offer. But in July 2022, JetBlue reached an agreement to buy Spirit for $3.8 billion. However, the U.S. Department of Justice tried to block the deal. They said it would lead to "higher fares, fewer seats, and harm millions of consumers." In January 2024, a judge blocked the purchase. JetBlue and Spirit called off the merger in March 2024.

In January 2024, Robin Hayes stepped down as CEO. Joanna Geraghty took his place. She is the first woman to lead a major U.S. airline. Marty St. George became the new president in February 2024.

In May 2024, JetBlue added six new routes from its San Juan hub. This included its first Mint flights from San Juan to JFK. JetBlue's "JetForward" plan helped improve its earnings and customer satisfaction in 2024.

In January 2025, JetBlue started daily flights from Manchester‑Boston Regional Airport to Florida. In March and April 2025, JetBlue added more daily flights from JFK to several cities. These included Washington, D.C., Detroit, and Pittsburgh.

In April 2025, American Airlines sued JetBlue for over $1 million. This was for unpaid money from their old Northeast Alliance. In May 2025, JetBlue and United Airlines announced a new partnership called “Blue Sky.” This allows members of their frequent flyer programs to earn and use miles on both airlines. United is also expected to start flying from JFK again by 2027, using JetBlue's slots.

On June 12, 2025, a JetBlue flight from Chicago skidded off a runway at Boston Logan. No one was hurt, but airport operations were stopped.

Where JetBlue Flies

As of 2024, JetBlue Airways flies to 104 places. Most of these are in the United States and the Caribbean. It also flies to some places in Central and South America, and four cities in Europe.

Shared Flights with Other Airlines

JetBlue has agreements with other airlines to share flights. This means both airlines can sell tickets for the same flight. This is called a codeshare agreement.

JetBlue shares flights with these airlines:

• Aer Lingus
• Air Serbia
• Azul Brazilian Airlines
• British Airways
• Cape Air
• El Al
• Etihad Airways
• JSX
• Hawaiian Airlines
• Icelandair
• LOT Polish Airlines
• Porter Airlines
• Qatar Airways
• Royal Air Maroc
• Seaborne Airlines
• Singapore Airlines
• South African Airways
• Turkish Airlines

JetBlue's Planes

Current Fleet

As of June 2025, JetBlue uses these types of aircraft:

How the Fleet Has Changed

Since 2011, JetBlue has changed its plane orders many times. At first, it planned to get 40 Airbus A320neos. Later, it changed most of these orders to Airbus A321neo planes.

From 2018 to 2019, JetBlue decided to replace its older Embraer E190 planes with the Airbus A220-300. It also changed some Airbus A321neo orders to include the Airbus A321XLR aircraft.

JetBlue received its first Airbus A220 in 2020. The A321LR joined the fleet in 2021. The airline expects to get the Airbus A321XLR planes in 2025.

What JetBlue Offers

Seating Options

The Core cabin in a JetBlue A220

On most JetBlue planes, there's a main cabin called Core. In Core, some rows have 7 extra inches of legroom. These are called Even More Space seats. The Core cabin has leather seats, free Wi-Fi, free snacks and drinks, and entertainment screens. These screens offer DirecTV, Sirius XM Radio, and movies.

JetBlue updated its Core seats in 2014 with the first Airbus A321. These updated seats started appearing on A320 planes in 2018. The same seat design is also on JetBlue's Airbus A220 planes. JetBlue's E190 planes are not being updated because they will be retired by 2026.

Mint Class

In 2014, JetBlue added a special premium cabin called Mint. This service was first available on certain long-distance domestic flights using Airbus A321 planes. The Mint seats can lie completely flat. Some even have sliding walls for more privacy.

Mint service has since expanded to some Caribbean flights. In 2021, a new and improved version of Mint was announced.

Entertainment on Board

JetBlue offers many entertainment options during flights. You can get Fly-Fi internet access from the moment you board until you land. There are over 100 channels of DirecTV, Sirius XM Radio, and movies. On the Airbus A321 and newer Airbus A320 planes, there's a 15-inch interactive video screen.

JetBlue also works with Amazon. This lets customers watch Amazon Prime videos by connecting to Wi-Fi and using the Amazon Video app. The in-flight Wi-Fi, called "Fly-Fi," is free on all flights. It offers speeds of 12–15 megabits per second.

Frequent Flyer Program

JetBlue's program for frequent flyers is called TrueBlue. In this program, members earn points for every dollar spent on a flight. You get extra points if you book online through JetBlue.com. You can also earn more points if you use the JetBlue Mastercard credit card. The number of points needed for a flight depends on the flight's price.

In June 2013, JetBlue announced that TrueBlue points will never expire. In May 2023, JetBlue updated its TrueBlue program. It added a 4-tier status for its top members, called Mosaic. Members can also choose their own special perks.

Airport Lounges

In September 2024, JetBlue announced it would open two airport lounges. The first lounge is planned for John F. Kennedy International Airport by the end of 2025. The second lounge will open at Boston Logan International Airport. The date for the Boston lounge has not yet been shared.

JetBlue's Business

Business Trends

Here are some key facts about JetBlue's business (as of the end of 2024):

Main Offices

JetBlue's current headquarters, at the Brewster Building at 27-01 Queens Plaza North

JetBlue's former headquarters at 80-02 Kew Gardens Road

JetBlue's former headquarters at 118-35 Queens Boulevard

JetBlue's main office is in the Brewster Building in Long Island City, New York. This building was once a car factory. JetBlue also has offices in Salt Lake City and Orlando. The Orlando office is at the Orlando International Airport and has the airline's training center.

Leadership Team

JetBlue's current leaders are:

• Chairman: Peter Boneparth (since May 2020)
• CEO: Joanna Geraghty (since February 2024)
• President: Marty St. George (since February 2024)

How JetBlue Does Business

JetBlue works like a low-cost carrier (LCC). This means it uses new planes, flies many direct routes, and keeps costs low. It also doesn't belong to a big airline alliance.

However, JetBlue also offers more than one class of seating. It provides free in-flight entertainment and snacks. It also has codeshare agreements with other airlines. Researchers even created the term "JetBlue Effect." This describes how flight prices often drop when JetBlue starts flying to a new market.

Marketing and Advertising

JetBlue's first big ads used phrases like "Unbelievable." They talked about low fares, new planes, leather seats, and lots of legroom. They wanted to "bring humanity back to air travel." JetBlue was the first airline to offer personalized in-flight entertainment to all passengers. In April 2000, screens in every seat gave customers live access to over 20 DirecTV channels for free.

As JetBlue grew, it competed with both low-cost and major airlines. Its free live TV, snacks, comfy legroom, and special deals made it seem like a luxury airline. But its low prices made it a threat to other budget airlines.

In May 2025, JetBlue and United Airlines announced a partnership called “Blue Sky.” This allows members of their frequent flyer programs to earn and use miles on both airlines. It also includes benefits like priority boarding and free checked bags. United is expected to start flying from JFK again by 2027, using JetBlue's slots.

Other Businesses and Investments

JetBlue Ventures

JetBlue Ventures is a part of JetBlue that invests in new companies. It started in February 2016. Its goal is to invest in and work with new companies in travel, hotels, and transportation. It wants to make travel better for everyone.

JetBlue Ventures has invested in many startups. These include companies working on hybrid planes and new ways to use data. It has also invested in Air Company, which makes products from captured carbon.

Universal Hydrogen

In 2021, JetBlue invested in Universal Hydrogen. This company is working on making planes fly using hydrogen power. They want to change existing planes to use hydrogen. They also plan to deliver fuel in special containers. JetBlue's investment helped Universal Hydrogen develop its technology faster.

JetBlue Travel Products

JetBlue Travel Products is another part of JetBlue. It started in 2018. Its goal is to offer more than just flights. It helps customers find complete travel packages.

In 2020, JetBlue Vacations was updated. It added new ways to personalize vacation packages. These packages include flights, hotels, and cruises. In 2021, JetBlue launched Paisly by JetBlue. This platform helps customers book hotels, car rentals, activities, and travel bags.

LiveTV

LiveTV was a company that provided seat-back entertainment systems. It offered live satellite TV and radio to airlines, including JetBlue. JetBlue bought LiveTV in 2002. It later sold LiveTV to another company in 2014.

JSX

In 2016, JetBlue invested in JSX (then called JetSuiteX). This airline offers special flights. JetBlue's investment gave it a seat on JSX's board. JetBlue saw this as a way to grow its business on the West Coast.

TWA Flight Center Hotel

The TWA Hotel is a hotel at JFK airport. It was built inside the old TWA Flight Center building. JetBlue owns a small part of this hotel. It's located right in front of JetBlue's terminal at JFK.

Incidents and Safety

As of 2025, JetBlue has never had a fatal plane crash. It has had a few minor incidents:

JetBlue Flight 292, an Airbus A320 (N536JB), makes an emergency landing at LAX.

• September 21, 2005: Flight 292 had a problem with its nose landing gear. The plane had to make an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport (pictured). No one was hurt.
• August 9, 2010: On Flight 1052, a flight attendant had an incident. He announced he was quitting, took some drinks, and used the emergency slide to leave the plane.
• March 27, 2012: On Flight 191, the captain started acting strangely. He was locked out of the cockpit and passengers helped to calm him down. The plane made an emergency landing. No one was hurt.
• January 22, 2022: Flight 1748 had a tailstrike during takeoff. This happened while trying to avoid another plane landing on the runway. The plane landed safely at another airport. No one was injured.
• January 6, 2025: Two people were found dead in the landing gear of Flight 1801 after it landed at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Images for kids

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  Airbus A220-300

• 

  Airbus A320

• 

  Airbus A321

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  Airbus A321neo

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  Embraer E190

See also

In Spanish: JetBlue Airways para niños