Yesterday it was HOU.

Today st 08:30 EST B6 will release two additional cities that have been rumored for some time.
They are already in the local papers.

Enjoy.

Congrats to B6 for making more outstanding decisions.

How many does that make for the year?

PIT
RDU
CLT
BNA
HOU
AUS
JAX
RIC
*New today
*New today

That's 10 of the announced 10, right? No more new cities this year or perhaps more to come?

According to the Sarasota Herald Tribune, service to SRQ will start September 21st with 1 round trip a day on an Airbus. It'll be interesting to see how long it lasts as AirTran couldn't make it work last year from LGA.

Rgds,
Ed

Ok, so SRQ is offical.....What is the 2nd city then? Anyone with any info?

The press release...

Press Release Source: JetBlue Airways Corporation

Sarasota/Bradenton . . . Lucky Number Seven!
Wednesday June 28, 8:30 am ET
JetBlue Lands in Florida Once Again, Offering Introductory Fares of $79(a) Each Way

NEW YORK, June 28, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- JetBlue Airways Corp. (NasdaqNM:JBLU - News) today announces it will begin daily nonstop service between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Sarasota/Bradenton, FL starting September 21. Introductory one-way fares start at $79(a), valid for travel between September 21 and October 31, and must be purchased by July 18. Introductory fares also apply to connecting travel to most of JetBlue's East Coast destinations: Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo, NY; Burlington, VT; Portland, ME; Pittsburgh, PA (service begins June 30); Richmond, VA; and Washington Dulles International (service begins August 17). Regular fares between Sarasota/Bradenton and New York's JFK will range between $99(a) and $299(a) each way.

``JetBlue is pleased to expand our Florida service to Sarasota/Bradenton, our seventh destination in the Sunshine State,'' said David Neeleman, JetBlue's CEO. ``Sarasota/Bradenton distinguishes itself with its white-sand beaches, notable art museums, and extensive golf courses. With travel on JetBlue, vacationers and those traveling on business can now enjoy the flight as much as the destination.''

Fredrick J. Piccolo, Sarasota/Bradenton President, CEO said, ``We are thrilled to see JetBlue land at SRQ with flights to JFK and to their connecting cities. The addition of JetBlue at SRQ is a very strong validation of our market and airport.''

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Sarasota/Bradenton customers will also have access to 23 other JetBlue destinations via convenient connecting service at JFK, including Boston; Denver, CO; Las Vegas, NV; Long Beach, Oakland, Ontario, San Diego, and Sacramento, CA; and Portland, OR.

In addition to low fares, JetBlue customers in Sarasota/Bradenton can look forward to 36 channels of DIRECTV(r) programming on their seat-back televisions, while sitting in a comfy all-leather seat with industry-leading legroom. Service to Sarasota/Bradenton will be operated with JetBlue's A320 fleet. Members of JetBlue's customer loyalty program, TrueBlue, will receive 4 points per flight, with double points awarded for purchasing online at http://www.jetblue.com. Customers can earn free travel even faster by using the JetBlue Card from American Express.


New York (JFK) to Sarasota/Bradenton, FL (SRQ) to
Sarasota/Bradenton, FL (SRQ) New York (JFK)
Depart - Arrive Depart - Arrive
9:30am - 12:30pm 1:15pm - 4:05pm
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In the six years since its launch, JetBlue Airways has focused on creating a new airline category -- an airline that offers value, service and style. Based out of New York City, the low-cost carrier currently serves 38 destinations with more than 410 flights daily. Onboard JetBlue, customers enjoy roomy leather seats and 36 channels of free DIRECTV(r) programming(b), the most live TV available on any airline. On flights longer than two hours, a selection of first-run movies and bonus features from FOX InFlight(tm) is also available. JetBlue offers customers generous brand name snacks and beverages, including freshly brewed Dunkin' Donuts coffee, and delicious wines selected by the airline's Low Fare Sommelier, Josh Wesson from Best Cellars. On overnight flights from the West, the airline now offers Shut-Eye Service, with a Shut-Eye Kit(tm) designed exclusively for JetBlue by Bliss Spa and other special amenities including a ``good morning'' hot towel service. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all travel is ticketless, all fares are one-way, and an overnight stay is never required. For information or reservations call 1-800-JETBLUE (1-800-538-2583) or visit http://www.jetblue.com.

(a) All fares are subject to change without notice and may require up to a 14-day advance purchase. The introductory sale fare must be purchased by July 18, 2006, 11:59 PM MDT for travel between September 21 and October 31, 2006. All travel must be completed by October 31, 2006. Lowest fares may not be available on all days or on all flights, and are most often found on midweek travel dates. All fares must be purchased at time of reservation, and are one-way, nonrefundable, and nontransferable. Cancellations and changes can be made prior to scheduled departure for $30 at 1-800-JETBLUE (or, in the case of changes, at jetblue.com) with applicable fare adjustment. Cancellations are for a JetBlue travel credit only, which is valid for one year. If travel is not used, and the reservation is not changed or canceled prior to scheduled departure, all money associated with the reservation is forfeited. Fares do not include Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9 each way, September 11th Security Fees of up to $5 each way and a Federal Segment Tax of $3.30 per domestic segment. A segment is a takeoff and landing. JetBlue reserves the right to deny boarding to passengers without proper documentation. Other restrictions apply.

(b) DIRECTV(r) service is not available on flights to/from Bermuda, Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic; however, where applicable FOX InFlight is offered complimentary on these routes. FOX InFlight is a trademark of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. JetBlue's in-flight entertainment is powered by LiveTV, a wholly owned subsidiary of JetBlue.

The JetBlue logo is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=795

This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature which represent our management's beliefs and assumptions concerning future events. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and are based on information currently available to us. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward looking statements due to many factors, including, without limitation, our extremely competitive industry; increases in fuel prices, maintenance costs and interest rates; our ability to implement our growth strategy, including the integration of the EMBRAER 190 aircraft into our operations; our significant fixed obligations; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel and maintain our culture as we grow; our reliance on high daily aircraft utilization; our dependence on the New York metropolitan market; our reliance on automated systems and technology our reliance on a limited number of suppliers; changes in or additional government regulation; changes in our industry due to other airlines' financial condition; and external geopolitical events and conditions. Further information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including but not limited to, the Company's 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.


Contact:

JetBlue Corporate Communications
(718) 709-3089
[email protected]

Source: JetBlue Airways Corporation

TUS is the last city added, also using an A320 with 1 round trip a day.

Rgds,
Ed

Tucson!!!!!! wa-hooo!!!!!!!!!!!

jetBlue has made this desert transplant (exiled in florida) very happy!!!!

Great news. Tucsonans will be delighted to try B6's great service and low fares to the east coast-- this is a great opportunity for both the city and the airline and I expect great success to come.

Welcome all B6 employees-- just remember it's a dry heat!

Quoting Azstagecoach (Reply 7): Welcome all B6 employees-- just remember it's a dry heat!

At the times JetBlue is scheduled to fly into TUS, it should only be about 80-85 degrees in the summer, right?

Well I can't wait until the concourse C expansion is done here in MKE. Maybe then some new airlines like B6 or somethin will finally come.   

SRQ isn't a surprise but TUS is. I think both routes should do well with 1x - hopefully SRQ will go up to 2x as we move into the winter season.

Take note that both press releases advertised connecting service via JFK as well. Hmmm.

JetBluefan1

Delta needs a competor in MLB. I wish NK would come back to MLB. My two cents on MLB is getting worse.

MCOflyer

Quoting ERJ170 (Reply 1): That's 10 of the announced 10, right? No more new cities this year or perhaps more to come?

No. That isn't it. More are coming. Cancun, for instance, still hasn't been announced, and a new city or two will start in December. SRQ and TUS are #10 and #11, with Aruba and Bermuda also. #12 will be Cancun. #13-14-15 will be announced this year too.

[Edited 2006-06-28 18:30:00]

How are they going to make money with one roundtrip a day on an A-320?

It would seem like the costs of opening and maintaining a station would make it difficult to turn a profit with just one flight a day, especially for a low fare airline like JetBlue. I suppose they can contract out the ramp, but are they going to be willing to do that for customer service positions?

Quoting Alias1024 (Reply 13): How are they going to make money with one roundtrip a day on an A-320? It would seem like the costs of opening and maintaining a station would make it difficult to turn a profit with just one flight a day, especially for a low fare airline like JetBlue. I suppose they can contract out the ramp, but are they going to be willing to do that for customer service positions?

JetBlue does this with ONT (profitably), as well as STI. They do contract out the ramp, and at some airports with limited ops (such as SEA and DEN), they share gates and counter space with another airline. Customer service positions are usually for 4 hrs. - therefore everyone works part-time.

B6 has been running redeyes profitably since the beginning of operations. They know what they're doing...

JetBluefan1

Damn, so much for wondering if it would be MDT...

http://biz.yahoo.com/pz/060628/101393.html

There is the Tuscon press release.

Is GSO still in the running or have they moved on now that they have RDU and CLT? I know it's been discussed at length, but I didnt realize more cities were still being announced...Im surprised they took on WN at RDU instead of going for the riper (meaning no low-fare carrier) GSO market.

Now with this announcement its "REALLY'' time to connect the West Coast Dots!!! Look out US and WN theres a blue kid comimg to the West Side!!! "SPAZ"

Why does B6 continue to add new spoke cities rather than expand nonstop service between existing cities?? I fail to understand the competitive "urgency" of adding new cities like BNA, JAX, HOU, SRQ, TUS, etc. rather than expanding service at current B6 cities. The economies of scale don't seem to make sense! Opening new stations is a costly affair.

Nothing personal against any of those cities (as opposed to a host of other potential B6 markets), but it just doesn't seem to make the wisest business sense to me at this point in time ...

Quoting SpazolaJBLULGB (Reply 18): Now with this announcement its "REALLY'' time to connect the West Coast Dots!!! Look out US and WN theres a blue kid comimg to the West Side!!! "SPAZ"

Quoting Dolphinflyer (Reply 19): Why does B6 continue to add new spoke cities rather than expand nonstop service between existing cities??

They will in time but connecting the dots is easier said than done. JetBlue will begin to reach capacity at JFK within time before the new terminal opens. I think that during this time JetBlue will begin to focus on connecting the existing cities.

Quoting ERJ170 (Reply 1): PIT RDU CLT BNA HOU AUS JAX RIC *New today *New today

And don't forget PWM service that started during the end of May!  

I just heard this on local radio - JetBlue is starting service between TUS and JFK
and offering an introductory fare of $129 each way, good until Oct 31. New York, here we come!

Now if we can only get them to start hitting some Michigan cities. Like GRR, Dtw,(FNT ????).

Quoting Dolphinflyer (Reply 19): I fail to understand the competitive "urgency" of adding new cities like BNA, JAX, HOU, SRQ, TUS, etc.

Well, they added PIT to offer lower fares from PIT to BOS and JFK. There was NO low fare competition AT ALL from PIT to JFK or BOS. Now, pax are booking flights on B6 to JFK as well as BOS, although as someone else said, that could be due to the holliday weekend travel...

Quoting JetBluefan1 (Reply 14): JetBlue does this with ONT (profitably), as well as STI. They do contract out the ramp, and at some airports with limited ops (such as SEA and DEN), they share gates and counter space with another airline. Customer service positions are usually for 4 hrs. - therefore everyone works part-time. B6 has been running redeyes profitably since the beginning of operations. They know what they're doing... JetBluefan1

Agreed.

1. TUS is running way under capacity with zero gate competition, so they are probably giving away the gates at very low cost. They can use F9 or AS or NW gate space, all of which go unused 90% of the day. Not to mention the "international" gate used once a day by an AM ATR prop to HMO.

2. B6 can easily use someone else's ops. CO already uses US ops, and CO runs five RT's a day. This would probably be the smart way to go since TUS has a shortage of young, bright people willing to work part-time for low wages. Though simply being B6 might be able to overcome that  

3. Agreed B6 can make money on a redeye. In therory the plane would sit still otherwise, although we know with B6's utilization rates this would never happen. The schedule suggests that the redeye is needed in order to free up the 320 for a daytime RT. They are anticipating the premium Tucsonans will be willing to pay for n-s service to the east coast, even with this timing, which obviously disfavors the older tourists normally visiting TUS, who are normally in bed before the outbound flight departs JFK.

So for me the question becomes one of relative age demographics with the city they are serving that 320 with during the day. I recognize that planes shift around, so realistically B6 should be making this comparison with all of its JFK 320 destinations. If there is a much younger crosssection of passengers another city, then B6 might consider switching the redeye with that other city pair.

Simply put TUS will have one of the oldest passenger age per capita of any B6 city, and this is bound to affect the popularity of redeyes.

4. And once again, welcome to TUS! Delighted to have you.

Well TUS isn't all oldies and older people can do the flights but not to their best liking. But they will do it. I have taken late night flights out of FLL to JFK. They will do it and plus all TUS people are not oldies.

B6jfk  

As of right now we are well over the 10 original new cities we intended to add!!!

AUA- Aruba*
AUS- Austin
BDA- Bermuda
CLT- Charlotte*
CUN- Cancun*
HOU- Houston*
JAX- Jacksonville
BNA- Nashville*
PIT- Pittsburgh*
PWM- Portland
RIC- Richmond
RDU- Raleigh*
SRQ- Sarasota*
TUS- Tucson*

*Yet to start

Quoting Azstagecoach (Reply 25): the popularity of redeyes.

B6 has been flying to PDX for a little over a year now with a red eye and their loads have been in the high 70% and mid 80%. B6's load factor for May out of PDX was 83.76%. Their "shut eye" service seems to be working since the cheapest I can normally find flights from PDX to JFK is $229. Rarely will I find it cheaper and that is 2-3 months out. Looks like healthy yields if you ask me.

I took their total passenger divided by total flights, then divided that number by 156 seats on the plane. http://www.flypdx.com/SelfPost/A_200662084456May2006webstats.pdf

Quoting MAH4546 (Reply 12): No. That isn't it. More are coming. Cancun, for instance, still hasn't been announced, and a new city or two will start in December. SRQ and TUS are #10 and #11, with Aruba and Bermuda also. #12 will be Cancun. #13-14-15 will be announced this year too.

I thought Mr. N stated that they would be adding 10 domesticate cities this year...

AUS, CLT, HOU, JAX, BNA, PIT, PWM, RIC, RDU, SRQ, TUS...

He's already at 11.. so I guess there probably will be more to come.. especially considering that the starting dates have only gotten to September. What's opening OCT, NOV, DEC? I would predict 2-3 more cities at the rate they are going now (Huntsville or Birmingham, Charleston or Columbia, Columbus or Dayton)

And now, if we could only get F9 to add another East coast city or two.. Things that make you go, hmmm...

[Edited 2006-06-29 06:07:20]

Quoting ERJ170 (Reply 29): I thought Mr. N stated that they would be adding 10 domesticate cities this year... AUS, CLT, HOU, JAX, BNA, PIT, PWM, RIC, RDU, SRQ, TUS... He's already at 11.. so I guess there probably will be more to come.. especially considering that the starting dates have only gotten to September. What's opening OCT, NOV, DEC? I would predict 2-3 more cities at the rate they are going now (Huntsville or Birmingham, Charleston or Columbia, Columbus or Dayton)

jetBlue did say ten, and then they changed their mind. Strongest rumours are leaning towards jetBlue landing at St. Louis, St. Thomas, Miami, and Daytona Beach this winter. However the latter two are always rumoured.

Quoting JetBlueAtJFK (Reply 26): all TUS people are not oldies

Agreed, and I grew up there. However any TUS employee will tell you the "snowbirds" represent a big chunk of the winter traffic at TUS. In addition to the seasonals, between saddlebrook and the various sun city clones and offshoots there is a very large year-round retirement community in the surrounding areas. That translates into many times the number of retirement-aged people in the tucson area as college students at U of A.

Quoting Azstagecoach (Reply 25): 1. TUS is running way under capacity with zero gate competition, so they are probably giving away the gates at very low cost. They can use F9 or AS or NW gate space, all of which go unused 90% of the day. Not to mention the "international" gate used once a day by an AM ATR prop to HMO.

The NW or F9 gates would be a good choice because they can both accomodate the A320 (although F9 no longer sends their A319's here), and they get utilised once a day for NW and twice for F9. And those times are well before the B6 flight.

It appears B6 is working towards the middle. At this rate, OMA will be getting service around 2011.  

I'll fly Blue someday I guess....but not anytime soon.

Although the new cities are great additions to B6's network, I was hoping for some Midwest destinations using the E190.

BNA and PIT are the only true midwest destinations they have added, leaving a decent gap in the system.

Does anybody see ORD/MDW, CVG, MEM, SDF, STL, MSP, DTW, or CLE in the future?

STL has to be coming online soon... Plenty of gatespace and a new runway to boot.

Would it be crazy for STL to just tear down some of that gate space? I mean, it isn't used.. and everyone always says STL has way too much gate space available.. because by the time someone will want to use it, it's gonna be pretty outdated... right?

Just pondering..

Quoting AirTranTUS (Reply 32): The NW or F9 gates would be a good choice because they can both accomodate the A320 (although F9 no longer sends their A319's here), and they get utilised once a day for NW and twice for F9. And those times are well before the B6 flight.

I take the part about F9 no longer sending Airbus equipment here. Beginning in August, TUS will get one A319 and one A318 daily. It changes later to 2x A318's daily. But they will both have left by the time the B6 flight arrives.

Quoting ERJ170 (Reply 36): ould it be crazy for STL to just tear down some of that gate space? I mean, it isn't used.. and everyone always says STL has way too much gate space available.. because by the time someone will want to use it, it's gonna be pretty outdated... right? Just pondering..

There has been hinting of "major" changes in newsletters from the airport, but I'll believe it when I see it. Whatever Lambert does next, they better make sure that it has every reason in the world to be done after the runway debacle.

As far as JetBlue coming in, I'm a little skeptical. The last time a carrier was rumored to be considering St. Louis, the Post-Dispatch wrote 2 or 3 god awful (in an aviation enthusiasts sense) about them having "final" discussions with the carrier, AirTran. After I read it (or them), I wasn't wondering if they were coming, but what was the start date and what the cities were. If JetBlue were that close to entering, I would bet that we'd have at least some crappy report on tv about it like we did when Lufthansa was apparently considering us.

On the other hand, it does make sense that St. Louis could be attractive to B6 with their E190's. Time will tell I guess.

Quoting LambertMan (Reply 38): On the other hand, it does make sense that St. Louis could be attractive to B6 with their E190's. Time will tell I guess.

I would have to guess that MCI, STL and OMA would be announced in succession all having the 190. I would think that STL would be able to handle an a320 but I'm not sure what the O&D demand for STL would be.

There is this "gaping hole" on thier map called the midwest and I personally feel it would be a good thing if they opened up SOMETHING in the midwest sooner rather than later. Of course ... they are chasing the money routes.

Quoting LambertMan (Reply 38): On the other hand, it does make sense that St. Louis could be attractive to B6 with their E190's. Time will tell I guess.

I could see a few 190s to JFK, BOS, and/or IAD. It would be nice to see STL-PIT restored by B6 with an E90, but I don't think that will happen just yet... Then again, I didn't think that B6 would be starting PIT service tomorrow already...

Quoting Steeler83 (Reply 40): I could see a few 190s to JFK, BOS, and/or IAD.

What do you mean by restored? PIT-STL has four daily flights with US Airways Express!

When does JetBlue plan to serve Canada?

Tucson is one of the new cities. The front page of the Arizona Daily Star indicated service will begin in September with an 11:30 PM departure from Tucson to JFK.

Quoting Alias1024 (Reply 13): How are they going to make money with one roundtrip a day on an A-320? It would seem like the costs of opening and maintaining a station would make it difficult to turn a profit with just one flight a day, especially for a low fare airline like JetBlue. I suppose they can contract out the ramp, but are they going to be willing to do that for customer service positions?

They will add more flights next winter after establishing the route.
If only one flight was the goal then they wouldn't have opened the station in the first place.

Your question answered itself??????????

I heard like 2 weeks ago that the next 3 will be ST. cities. So I would look for STL in the mix. It will happen sooner or later don't worry. STL is pretty big so it won't be that far off.

B6jfk  

Quoting JetBlueAtJFK (Reply 45): I heard like 2 weeks ago that the next 3 will be ST. cities. So I would look for STL in the mix. It will happen sooner or later don't worry. STL is pretty big so it won't be that far off.

There are two "St." cities strongly being considered, not three. For some reason, St. Croix keeps getting mentioned, and while I would not rule it out entirely, the chances of that service starting are slim to none. There is very little tourist traffic to the island and their only daily flight to the mainland - an AA 738 to MIA - is supported by business traffic.

Quoting MAH4546 (Reply 46): There are two "St." cities strongly being considered, not three.

Kind of interesting that Dave Checketts the new owner of the St Louis Blues hockey team also sits on the BOD of JetBlue. I think the naming rights to the Savvis Center where the Blues play are also up... Hmm well I guess we have to get a flight first but the JetBlue Arena home of the St Louis Blues kind of has a ring to it. Yes I know far fetched.   

Quoting MAH4546 (Reply 46): St. Croix keeps getting mentioned, and while I would not rule it out entirely, the chances of that service starting are slim to none. There is very little tourist traffic to the island and their only daily flight to the mainland - an AA 738 to MIA - is supported by business traffic.

I've flown into St.Croix a couple of times when CO had their EWR-STT-STX routing, you can't help but notice the huge Hess Oil Refinery near the airport, Hess has a major oil refinery on St.Croix. They ship oil from West Africa and Venezuela to St.Croix where they refine it before sending it on to the US East Coast, since Hess has such a huge facility on St.Croix I figure CO would bring back the St.Croix tag to their EWR-STT flight, Hess Oil is based in Woodbridge NJ, Exit 11 off the Turnpike. Newark Airport is exits 13A and 14 of the Turnpike.

http://www.hess.com/rm/refining.htm

I keep hearing STL, STT, and SXM. That's the "three st cities" that keep coming up for me.