JetBlue has officially entered the transatlantic market with the launch of its new, nonstop service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and London Heathrow Airport (LHR). The first customer-carrying JetBlue flight between the U.S. and the U.K. touched down at Heathrow just before 10 o’clock on August 12, local time. The highly anticipated milestone – aimed at shaking up the transatlantic market – marks the first time JetBlue has served a destination beyond the 100+ cities it flies to throughout the Americas. With new service in the United Kingdom, JetBlue now operates in 26 countries.
“For the first time in JetBlue’s 21-year history we are crossing the North Atlantic and competing in one of the busiest travel markets in the world, well-positioned to introduce our award-winning service and low fares to a new global audience that is ready for a fresh choice in transatlantic flying,” said Robin Hayes, chief executive officer, JetBlue. “With JetBlue now connecting New York and London, travelers finally have the ability to enjoy low fares while also experiencing superior service. As the U.K. opens to travelers coming from America, our flights are well timed to meet the pent up demand for travel between our two countries. We look forward to welcoming U.K. travelers to the U.S. soon and launching service between Boston and London next year.”
JetBlue’s presence at London Heathrow Airport gives the U.S.-based travel company visibility at a global hub to build a new base of travelers in the U.K. and beyond. JetBlue will operate from Heathrow’s newest terminal – Terminal 2.
Flights between New York-JFK and Heathrow operate daily in August and four times weekly in September on JetBlue’s new Airbus A321 Long Range (LR) aircraft with 24 redesigned Mint suites, 114 core seats and the sleek and spacious Airspace cabin interior.
JetBlue converted 13 aircraft in its existing A321 order book to the LR version in April 2019 with the ability to convert more. Additionally, JetBlue has converted another 13 aircraft in its existing order book to the Extra-Long Range – or XLR – version of the A321.
“As we come out of the pandemic and the international market recovers, the A321LR will position JetBlue to offer long-haul international travel at the highest level of customer service and at the lowest cost and risk, said C. Jeffrey Knittel, chairman and chief executive officer, Airbus Americas. “We are proud to partner with JetBlue and congratulate them on their vision, consistent ingenuity and careful attention to detail in delivering an enhanced transatlantic customer experience that is truly world-class.”
The A321LR allows JetBlue to tap into new long-haul markets, like London, that were not previously accessible with the airline’s existing fleet. The LR’s range of up to 4,000 nautical miles is made possible by three additional center fuel tanks. JetBlue’s A321LR is powered by two Pratt & Whitney GTF engines.
For the launch of U.K. service, JetBlue is proactively offsetting the CO2 emissions from all JetBlue flights to and from London throughout 2021 in partnership with Carbonfund.org, purchasing high-quality and third-party verified carbon offsets that support the Envira Amazonia Tropical Rainforest Conservation Project. JetBlue adds that it recognizes that offsets are a “meaningful yet short-term solution” while the industry builds up lower carbon solutions. The airline is also investing in solutions to reduce direct emissions from operations, including sustainable aviation fuel, which is already being used by JetBlue at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
JetBlue remains on track to add additional service between the U.S. and the U.K. with flights between New York-JFK and London Gatwick Airport (LGW) starting September 29, 2021.
London service from Boston, where JetBlue is the leading airline, is planned to start in summer 2022.