NEW YORK, April 13, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- JetBlue Airways Corp. (Nasdaq:JBLU) today announces it will begin service between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), its hometown, and the North Carolina cities of Charlotte, starting July 12, and Raleigh-Durham, starting July 20, with four daily round-trip flights to each city on its new EMBRAER 190 aircraft. JetBlue will bring low fares to these cities, with introductory one-way fares from JFK starting at $69(a,b) each way, and regular fares between 40 and 70 percent lower than current market rates. Regular one-way fares between New York and Charlotte will range between $89(b) and $199(b). Regular one-way fares between New York and Raleigh-Durham will range between $79(b) and $199(b). Roundtrip purchase is never required on JetBlue.
"Charlotte, as the nation's second largest banking region, and Raleigh-Durham's 'Research Triangle' have natural ties to New York, but until now, the people of North Carolina have overpaid for sub-standard service," said JetBlue CEO David Neeleman. "With four round-trips a day to New York, JetBlue's 10,000-plus crewmembers hope to change that for North Carolinians by bringing our award-winning customer service and low fares to Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham."
"I am pleased to welcome JetBlue Airways to Charlotte," said Mayor Pat McCrory. "This service announcement is validation of our strategy to provide a strong base of transportation choices for Charlotte. I am confident that JetBlue will be welcomed by the community and I wish them great success."
"I applaud JetBlue for bringing its award-winning customer service airline to the Research Triangle region of North Carolina," said W. Stephens Toler, Chairman of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. "With nonstop service to JFK and dozens of connecting cities, the region will benefit from the increase in affordable travel, tourism, and business activity."
JetBlue will operate four daily flights between New York and both Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham, using its brand-new EMBRAER 190 aircraft. This 100-seat aircraft offers customers comfy all-leather seats and the most live entertainment options in the skies today, with 36 channels of DIRECTV programming and more than 100 channels of XM Satellite Radio. JetBlue customers enrolled in the airline's flight gratitude program, TrueBlue, will earn two TrueBlue points each way, with double points awarded for travel purchased online at www.jetblue.com.
Paint the town blue -- JetBlue's Charlotte schedule,
effective July 12:
From Charlotte, NC (CLT) From New York/JFK
to New York/JFK to Charlotte
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Depart -- Arrive Depart -- Arrive
6:00 a.m. -- 7:50 a.m.(eff 7/13) 7:15 a.m. -- 9:05 a.m.
9:35 a.m. -- 11:25 a.m. 12:00 p.m. -- 1:30 p.m.
2:30 p.m. -- 4:20 p.m. 5:35 p.m. -- 7:35 p.m.
8:05 p.m. -- 9:55 p.m. 9:30 p.m. -- 11:20 p.m.
Paint the town blue -- JetBlue's Raleigh-Durham schedule,
effective July 20:
From Raleigh-Durham, NC (RDU) From New York/JFK
to New York/JFK to Raleigh-Durham (RDU)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Depart -- Arrive Depart -- Arrive
6:10 a.m. -- 7:55 a.m. (eff 7/21) 8:30 a.m. -- 10:20 a.m.
10:55 a.m. -- 12:35 p.m. 12:50 p.m. -- 2:35 p.m.
3:15 p.m. -- 5:00 p.m. 4:50 p.m. -- 6:40 p.m.
7:10 p.m. -- 8:50 p.m. 9:25 p.m. -- 11:10 p.m.
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 35 destinations with more than 410 flights daily. Onboard JetBlue, customers enjoy roomy leather seats and 36 channels of free DIRECTV(r) programming (c), 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 www.jetblue.com.
(a) Introductory fares require a 14-day advance purchase, and must be purchased by April 30, 2006, 11:59 PM MST. Travel must be completed by October 31, 2006.
(b) Regular fares require up to a 14-day advance purchase. 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). All changes are subject to applicable fare adjustment. Cancellations are for a JetBlue travel credit only, which is valid for one year. If a 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. Caribbean and Bermuda fares also do not include government fees and taxes of up to $71.45 each way. All taxes and fees must be paid at the time of purchase. JetBlue reserves the right to deny boarding to passengers without proper documentation. Other restrictions apply.
(c) 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 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 sole suppliers, additional government regulation and changes in our industry due to financial condition and external geopolitical conditions. 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.