NEW YORK, Feb. 24, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq:JBLU) today announced it will serve Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, CA, offering the first and only nonstop coast-to-coast service from the Southern California airport.
Beginning May 24, JetBlue plans three daily nonstop flights between Burbank and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport with a fourth to commence July 15, allowing the carrier to offer more daily nonstop flights to California from New York City than any other airline. Burbank will become JetBlue's seventh California destination.
Like Burbank Airport's namesake, Bob Hope, JetBlue offers customers the best in all-round entertainment, with up to 36 channels of free DIRECTV(r) programming at every seat and, on select aircraft, two channels of FOX InFlight Premium Entertainment showcasing current films from FOX Studios and the latest television programs from FOX Television. FOX InFlight Premium Entertainment is available for a charge of $5 per channel through a seat-back credit card reader. The airline plans to begin adding more than 100 channels of XM Satellite Radio, also at no charge, to its inseat entertainment lineup later in this year.
"Burbank has been waiting for nonstop service to New York for 75 years," said David Neeleman, CEO of JetBlue Airways. "You can't get any closer to Hollywood than the convenient Bob Hope Airport, and with up to 36 channels of DIRECTV(r) and FOX Inflight Premium Entertainment, our customers will enjoy a real Hollywood experience from the comfort of their leather seats."
"All of us at Bob Hope Airport are very excited to see JetBlue start service to New York from Burbank. With so much of the entertainment industry headquartered here, flights to the Big Apple are a great match with our airport. We're also sure that travelers from New York will be in for a welcome surprise at the convenient airport facilities and great location they will find here," said Charles Lombardo, President of the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority.
The low-fare airline will offer an introductory sale fare between JFK and Burbank of $99(1) one way, and $119(1) one way between Burbank and Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, NY, and Burlington, VT. The sale fares must be purchased by March 17 for travel from May 24 through June 16, 2005. Seats are limited and customers are encouraged to book early.
The airline's regular one-way fares between JFK and Burbank will range from $124(1) to $299(1) each way when booked at www.jetblue.com or by calling 1-800-JETBLUE.
New York (JFK) to Burbank (BUR) Burbank to New York Depart -- Arrive Depart -- Arrive 6:55am -- 9:45am 7:00am -- 3:20pm (Eff. 5/25/05) 11:35am -- 2:20pm (Eff. 7/15/05) 10:40am -- 6:55pm 4:25pm -- 7:20pm 3:20pm -- 11:35pm (Eff. 7/15/05) 6:50pm -- 9:59pm 8:50pm -- 5:00am (next day)
JetBlue is a low-fare, low-cost passenger airline, which provides high-quality customer service. JetBlue operates a fleet of 71 new Airbus A320 aircraft and plans to add 13 additional A320s and 7 Embraer E190s to its fleet in 2005. Based at New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport, JetBlue currently operates 292 flights a day and serves 30 destinations in 12 states, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and The Bahamas.
All JetBlue aircraft feature roomy leather seats; all equipped with an in-seat digital entertainment system offering up to 36 channels of free DIRECTV(r) programming. On many flights, a selection of first-run movies and bonus features from FOX InFlight Premium Entertainment is available. (2)
With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all travel is ticketless, all fares are one-way, and an overnight stay is never required. For more information, schedules and fares, please visit www.jetblue.com or call JetBlue reservations at 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583), 1-888-538-2583 if calling from Puerto Rico, or 1-200-9898 if calling from the Dominican Republic. This press release, as well as past press releases, can be found on www.jetblue.com.
(1) Domestic fares do not include Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9.00 each way, September 11th Security Fees of up to $5.00 each way and a Federal Segment Tax of $3.20 per segment. Bahamas, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic fares do not include Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9.00 each way, U.S. Departure Tax of $14.10 each way and September 11th Security Fees of up to $5.00 each way. Bahamas fares also do not include U.S. APHIS and Immigration Fees of up to $10.10 and Bahamas Departure Taxes of up to $22. Dominican Republic fares also do not include U.S. APHIS and Immigration Fees of up to $11.95, Airport Authority and Infrastructure Fees of up to $22.45 each way and Airport Departure Tax of up to $20.00. Fares for travel originating from or purchased in the Dominican Republic will range from $133(1) to $335(1) each way.
(2) DIRECTV(r) service is not available on flights between JFK and Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic; however, where available, FOX InFlight Premium Entertainment is offered complimentary on these routes.
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, our ability to implement our growth strategy including the integration of the Embraer E190 aircraft into our operations, our significant fixed obligations, our ability to maintain our culture, our reliance on high daily aircraft utilization, increases in maintenance costs, fuel prices, insurance costs and interest rates, our dependence on the New York market, our reliance on automated systems and technology, our reliance on sole suppliers, additional government regulation and future acts of terrorism or the threat of such acts or escalation of U.S. military involvement overseas. 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 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.
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