NEW YORK, May 17, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq:JBLU) today will launch new daily service to Portland, OR from New York's John F. Kennedy International airport. Portland will become JetBlue's 30th destination this evening when flight 165 touches down at 10:59 pm. The carrier recently expanded its presence in the northwest with a second daily flight between New York/JFK and Seattle, WA.
"I am proud to welcome an innovative company like JetBlue to Oregon," said Governor Ted Kulongski. "JetBlue's nonstop air service from Portland to New York will create new economic opportunities making business -- and vacation -- opportunities between Oregon and the east coast more available and affordable."
"Big city excitement with small town charm makes Portland a favorite destination in the west," said Dave Barger, President and COO for JetBlue. "We're very excited that Oregon residents and Portland-bound customers will now have the opportunity to experience JetBlue's award-winning customer service and hospitality as well as extra legroom and up to 36 channels of free DIRECTV(R) programming at every seat."
"Not only does JetBlue have an outstanding reputation for pricing, comfort and overall product; this new nonstop flight will serve as a strategic market for our community," said Bill Wyatt, Port of Portland Executive Director. "We're looking forward to a long and successful partnership with JetBlue."
JetBlue's flight schedule is: New York (JFK) to Portland (PDX) Portland to New York Depart -- Arrive Depart -- Arrive 7:55 pm -- 10:59 pm 11:59 pm -- 8:15 am (next day)
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 288 flights a day and serves 30 destinations in 13 states, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and The Bahamas. JetBlue plans to commence new service from JFK to Burbank, CA on May 24 and Ponce, Puerto Rico on June 17.
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.(a)
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.
The JetBlue logo is available at: http://media.primezone.com/prs/single/?pkgid=795
(a) 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 Form 10-K/A 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.