JetBlue finally gets some clarity on its transatlantic network expansion plans. The American budget airline has to hold its breath quite a long time waiting for a green light on its latest European network expansion. Let’s take a closer look at what happened and what we know about the new Boston to Amsterdam and New York to Amsterdam JetBlue flights.
Why The Long Wait For These New JetBlue European Flights?
What was holding the airline back was the Dutch government’s plan to reduce flights in Amsterdam’s Schiphol (AMS) airport. Specifically the Dutch government, the majority stakeholder of the airport, wanted to reduce by 60,000 flights per year traffic to Schiphol. However the latest court ruling in favour of KLM and the airlines forced the government to backtrack on its plans. That seemingly has given JetBlue the definitive green light on its new New York and Boston to Amsterdam flights.
Which Flight Will Launch in 2023?
JetBlue is set to start operations between the US east coast and what will be its 3rd European destination in late summer 2023. The airline will launch two flights the Dutch capital. Initially, in lates summer of 2023 operations will start with New York to Amsterdam flights, followed shortly afterwards by Boston Amsterdam flights.
However we don’t know yet exactly when these two new JetBlue flights will start their regular crossings of the Atlantic Ocean. What we do know is that these will be daily services.
Which Other European Destinations Does JetBlue Serve?
As I mentioned above Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport (AMS) will be the American budget airline’s 3rd destination. However it’ll also be its 4th European airport served. At the moment JetBlue flies to:
- London Gatwick (LGW)
- London Heathrow (LHR)
- Paris (CDG)
Going Against The Giants
JetBlue through their spokesperson has not been shy of how they are looking forward to take on giants of legacy aviation on the new US to Amsterdam route. Schiphol is one of Europe’s main and busiest hubs. So far there hasn’t been much disruption on these routes by aggressive low cost carriers.
Airlines like Norse Atlantic and JetBlue are trying to change the status quo on the lucrative transatlantic flight segment. Only time will tell if they will manage in their goal to gain a significant market share on these US Europe flights.
Flying the Nimble Airbus A321LR
JetBlue will deploy on the new Boston Amsterdam and New York Amsterdam routes its Airbus A321LR. These narrow body jets are designed inside and out for this kind of flights.
JetBlue fitted the roomy A321LR cabin with 2 travel classes. Travellers can choose to travel in Economy class with seats in a 3-3 layout or on one of the Mint lie flat Business class seats in a 1-1 layout. Specifically each JetBlue Airbus A321LR features:
- 24 Business Class Seats
- 114 Economy Class Seats
Seeing this plane type on transatlantic routes is something becoming more and more common. We have seen the likes of SAS, Aer Lingus and TAP Portugal do the same.
