Low-Fare Airline Partners With Tourism Organizations for Aruba,
Bermuda and Nassau/Paradise Island, Bahamas to Provide a
Hassle-Free Way to Prepare for Future Travels
Outside the U.S.
NEW YORK, Feb. 1, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- JetBlue Airways Corporation (Nasdaq:JBLU), in partnership with the Aruba Tourism Authority, the Bermuda Department of Tourism and the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board, today announce that customers traveling to or from JetBlue's Terminal 6 at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) during the month of February will have an opportunity to receive a free passport photo and application, as well as brochures and information on these beautiful destinations, to prepare for their future travel experiences on JetBlue. The low-fare airline now offers service to five exciting destinations that require a valid passport for visitors traveling by air: Aruba; Cancun, Mexico; Nassau, The Bahamas; Bermuda; and Santiago, in the Dominican Republic.
In January, the U.S. Department of State and Homeland Security announced that everyone, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport to exit or re-enter the United States. By January 1, 2008, U.S. citizens will be required to present a valid passport for all air, sea and land border crossings.
"JetBlue offers affordable nonstop service connecting the great metropolis of New York, our hometown, with the sunny beaches of five Caribbean/Atlantic destinations that require passports for travel," said Andrea Spiegel, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for JetBlue. "By providing free passport photos and applications to our customers, we are giving domestic travelers a hassle-free way to prepare for their future travel experiences on JetBlue to wonderful island destinations like Aruba, Bermuda and Nassau."
"Our colleagues at JetBlue Airways have been very proactive in getting the message out to travelers about the new passport requirements. This initiative is yet another example of how they are helping the tourism industry navigate this new challenge in Caribbean travel," said Aruba Minister of Tourism and Transportation, Edison Briesen. "New York is where the largest concentration of U.S. travelers to Aruba comes from, so we are thrilled to be a part of this program that will help make the process of getting passports and visiting Aruba, easier."
"We are pleased to be collaborating with JetBlue in an effort to get the word out about the new passport requirement and make the application process as easy and rewarding as possible," said Fred Lounsberry, Chief Executive Officer of the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board. "This offer is in perfect synergy with our existing passport reimbursement program, creating a win-win opportunity for JetBlue customers and future travelers to Nassau/Paradise Island. We encourage everyone traveling outside the U.S. to take advantage."
Every Thursday through Saturday in February beginning February 1st, customers can stop by the passport photo table by Gate 12A, beyond the security checkpoint inside the gate area, to obtain photos and more information. Below is the full schedule for the information table:
Sponsored by Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board Thursday, February 1st 12:30 pm - 8:30 pm Friday, February 2nd 12:30 pm - 8:30 pm Saturday, February 3rd 8:00 am - 1:00 pm Sponsored by Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board Thursday, February 8th 12:30 pm - 8:30 pm Friday February 9th 12:30 pm - 8:30 pm Saturday February 10th 8:00 am - 1:00 pm Sponsored by Bermuda Department of Tourism Thursday, February 15th 12:30 pm - 8:30 pm Friday February 16th 12:30 pm - 8:30 pm Saturday, February 17th 8:00 am - 1:00 pm Sponsored by Aruba Tourism Authority Thursday, February 22nd 12:30 pm - 8:30 pm Friday, February 23rd 12:30 pm - 8:30 pm Saturday, February 24th 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Once customers receive their free photo and application, new passports must still be processed at an authorized passport center. One set of photos per person. More information on obtaining a passport may be found at the U.S. Department of State Web site:
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html
JetBlue Airways is focused on creating a new airline category -- an airline that offers value, service and style. Based in New York City, and entering its seventh year, the low-cost carrier currently serves 50 destinations with up to 500 flights daily. Onboard JetBlue, customers enjoy roomy leather seats with industry-leading legroom (up to 36 inches!) on the A320 aircraft, and no middle seats on the E190 aircraft (a). Customers also enjoy 36 channels of free DIRECTV(r) programming (b), 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(r) coffee, and delicious wines selected by the airline's Low Fare Sommelier, Josh Wesson from Best Cellars(r). 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) The modification of JetBlue's A320 fleet that will bring customers the 36 inches of leg room will be complete by March 2007.
(b) DIRECTV(r) service is not available on flights outside the continental United States; however, where applicable FOX InFlight(tm) is offered complimentary on these routes. FOX InFlight(tm) 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.primenewswire.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 attract and retain qualified personnel and 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 being subject to potential unionization; our reliance on a limited number of suppliers; changes in or additional government regulation; changes in our industry due to other airlines' financial condition; and external geopolitical events and conditions. Further 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.