JetBlue’s much-anticipated transatlantic service is slated to start in a few weeks. Many have wondered if the airline will push this service forward, given the current travel restrictions between the United States and the United Kingdom. There is an update for this … JetBlue reduces transatlantic frequenciesJetBlue will offer daily non-stop flights between New York JFK and London Heathrow from August 11th and a second daily frequency from September 29th (this flight goes to London Gatwick rather than London Heathrow). When the airline put these flights on sale back in May, it presumably did so in the expectation that the reciprocal travel bans would be lifted by August:
So while transatlantic travel is generally picking up (mainly for Americans traveling to countries in the European Union), demand between the United States and the United Kingdom remains very limited. With that in mind, JetBlue has an update on its London plans:
What I find strange about this power reductionI find it a bit strange that JetBlue is at full speed in London in August, but then heads back in September:
So I’m intrigued by JetBlue’s strategy here, and I’m not sure I’ll follow suit. I only have one theory, and it’s pretty far-fetched. If JetBlue cancels flights to London, the airline must reimburse passengers on those flights in cash. If the airline is on schedule and passengers cancel due to travel restrictions, travelers will only be eligible for credit on a future JetBlue flight. In other words, this allows JetBlue to hold onto the cash from all bookings for the month of August instead of having to issue refunds. I can’t imagine that is ultimately the logic as these transatlantic flights are not going to be cheap to operate. At the same time, I don’t really understand the angle here. I’m surprised to see that JetBlue doesn’t quite delay the London service. Unless a travel ban is lifted, demand for this flight will be very, very limited. Bottom lineDespite the current travel bans, JetBlue is moving ahead with the introduction of transatlantic flights in mid-August. Interestingly, the airline has daily flights in August and then plans to reduce frequencies to 4 times a week in September. Are you surprised that JetBlue is making headway with its launch in London? And what do you think is the logic of keeping the frequencies in August but reducing them in September? Via https://globalconnekt.com/jetblue-is-cutting-london-flights-but-in-a-strange-way/
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