Airlines JetBlue enters transatlantic market with JFK-LHR flights

For the first time in the airline´s history, JetBlue has touched down on an airport outside of its route network in the Americas. Flight 007 touched down at London Heathrow after taking off from New York JFK hours earlier, opening a new chapter for the airline.

It is a milestone for JetBlue, which has now become the latest airline to offer transatlantic flights between the U.S.-East coast and European destinations. With low fares, the airline seeks to shake up the transatlantic market.

Robin Hayes, chief executive officer, JetBlue said: “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.”

“I want to congratulate JetBlue on its inaugural transatlantic flight to London and wish all the crew and customers a safe and pleasant journey,” added Dame Karen Pierce DCMG, U.K. Ambassador to the U.S. “As vaccinated Americans can now come to the U.K. without the need to quarantine, this route will offer more Americans a path to doing business, holidays and family reunions in the U.K. Today's flight quite literally takes our Special Relationship to new heights.”

At Heathrow, JetBlue will be using Terminal 2 and the flight will be performed on a daily schedule in August and four times weekly in September. “JetBlue demonstrates the benefits of greater choice, more competition between airlines and lower fares that spare capacity at Heathrow can deliver for passengers, and it’s fantastic to see the airline’s first European flight touch down today,” said John Holland-Kaye, chief executive officer, Heathrow Airport.

As aircraft, the U.S-Carrier is using the new Airbus A321 Long Range (LR), which features a new cabin with 24 suits and 114 core seats. The aircraft was designed for transatlantic routes, as it offers more range through reduced weight onboard and efficient state-of-the-art engines with a high bypass-ratio.

In April 2019, the airline converted 13 aircraft in its existing A321 order to the LR version and the first aircraft are now entering services, which allows JetBlue to serve new markets that previously weren’t accessible with the existing aircraft.