NEW YORK, April 25, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- LiveTV, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of JetBlue Airways Corporation (Nasdaq:JBLU), today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Virgin Blue Airlines to provide in-flight satellite television on the Australian low-fare carrier's fleet. This new service will be broadcast live via satellite to the aircraft and displayed on individual seatback screens. This is the first time in-flight satellite TV has ever been available in Australia, following JetBlue's U.S. debut of the system in 2000.
Under the terms of the agreement, LiveTV will provide satellite receiving and distribution system equipment as well as maintenance services, enabling Virgin Blue to provide its customers the choice of 24 FOXTEL and AUSTAR channels of satellite programming at every seatback.
Virgin Blue will purchase the in-flight entertainment system and maintenance will be provided by LiveTV. This order is to equip 51 firm Boeing 737 aircraft with the option to install the system on future aircraft deliveries. Installation of the equipment on Virgin Blue's first aircraft is scheduled for the third quarter of 2005.
"We're delighted to add Virgin Blue to our customer base of low-fare airlines," said Glenn Latta, vice president of LiveTV. "I'd like to commend our crewmembers on once again being the supplier of choice when it comes to in-flight entertainment on low-fare carriers. Our agreement with Virgin Blue is a tribute to their hard work and dedication in providing the At Home in the Air(TM) experience for all of LiveTV's customers."
About LiveTV
LiveTV is an innovative provider of in-flight entertainment products and services such as DIRECTV(R), Bell ExpressVu, XM Satellite Radio, wireless aircraft data link services, Digital Servers for stored content, and cabin surveillance systems for commercial aircraft. LiveTV is the largest provider of satellite TV systems to commercial airlines. The LiveTV system includes individual seatback monitors at every seat, armrest mounted channel, brightness, and volume controls that allow passengers to select from up to 36 channels of satellite programming. For more information, visit LiveTV on the World Wide Web at www.livetvifs.com.
About JetBlue
JetBlue is a low-fare, low-cost passenger airline, which provides high-quality customer service. JetBlue operates a fleet of 74 new Airbus A320 aircraft and plans to add 10 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 318 flights a day and serves 29 destinations in 12 states, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. JetBlue plans to commence new service from JFK to Portland on May 17 and to Burbank, CA on May 24.
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 may be available (See note).
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.
Note: 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/A. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.