JetBlue Redeploys Capacity to Add New Mint and Puerto Rico Routes

The New York-based carrier is adding new routes in the Caribbean while reducing capacity at LaGuardia.

A JetBlue Airbus A321 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

[ Routes ]May 8, 2024 7:23 pm ET

By Andrew Chen

JetBlue has unveiled a suite of network changes, including an expansion of its Puerto Rico operations and several new Mint routes. The airline will also be reducing its flying from LaGuardia Airport in New York.

Expanding Flights From Puerto Rico

The network expansion includes a slate of new routes out of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Since making the Puerto Rican capital a focus city in 2012, JetBlue has become largest carrier at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport.

New JetBlue routes from San Juan include daily service to Providence, R.I., Westchester County, N.Y. and Santiago, Dominican Republic. JetBlue will also offer four weekly flights between San Juan and Medellin in Colombia and three weekly flights between San Juan and Cancun in Mexico. These routes are scheduled to begin in late October.

Starting in December, the airline will also resume service to St. Croix in the United States Virgin Islands, with a daily flight to and from San Juan. The carrier previously served St. Croix between 2011 and 2019.

“JetBlue has been a proud part of the Puerto Rican community for over twenty years, and we’re excited to deepen our roots with this expansion,” said JetBlue President Marty St. George. “Our decades-long history with this vibrant community drives our enthusiasm to not only increase our service but also to strengthen our relationships and presence in the region.”

More JetBlue Mint Destinations

JetBlue is also bringing its lie-flat premium experience – known as Mint – to three new cities: Phoenix, Vancouver and San Juan. Flights from New York–JFK to Vancouver and San Juan will see year-round Mint service with the airline’s Airbus A321 aircraft.

Meanwhile, all JetBlue flights to and from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport will have Mint for the upcoming winter season. JetBlue’s Phoenix service consists of flights between the Arizonan capital and JetBlue’s bases in Boston and New York–JFK. The airline will also deploy Mint-equipped aircraft on its Fort Lauderdale–Las Vegas route for the winter season.

JetBlue Mint seats on an Airbus A321-200 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Hemal Gosai)

Redeploying Capacity: Two New Caribbean Destinations and Reduced Flying at LaGuardia

The New York-based carrier has also revealed two destinations for the company. Starting in the fall, JetBlue will begin flights from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Argyle International Airport in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Flamingo International Airport in Bonaire.

Amid challenges with aircraft availability, the company has stated that its new routes will be added by redeploying capacity within its network. As of late October, JetBlue is ending flights between New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Atlanta, New Orleans, Nassau, Tampa, and Fort Myers. The carrier is also reducing frequencies on its routes between LaGuardia and Boston, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando. According to the airline, these service reductions are the result of the end of its Northeast Alliance with American Airlines.

JetBlue is also exiting a few other markets elsewhere in its network. Flights to Puerto Vallarta from New York–JFK and Los Angeles will be ending in June, marking the airline’s departure from the popular Mexican vacation destination. As of late October, the airline is ending its Los Angeles–Newark and Los Angeles–Orlando routes.

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Andrew Chen

Andrew is a lifelong lover of aviation and travel. He has flown all over the world and is fascinated by the workings of the air travel industry. As a private pilot and glider pilot who has worked with airlines, airports and other industry stakeholders, he is always excited to share his passion for aviation with others. In addition to being a writer, he also hosts Flying Smarter, an educational travel podcast that explores the complex world of air travel to help listeners become better-informed and savvier travelers.

Author

Andrew Chen

Andrew is a lifelong lover of aviation and travel. He has flown all over the world and is fascinated by the workings of the air travel industry. As a private pilot and glider pilot who has worked with airlines, airports and other industry stakeholders, he is always excited to share his passion for aviation with others. In addition to being a writer, he also hosts Flying Smarter, an educational travel podcast that explores the complex world of air travel to help listeners become better-informed and savvier travelers.

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