SYRACUSE, N.Y., June 28, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq:JBLU) today continues to expand options for customers in the Empire State with the addition of new nonstop service between Syracuse and Fort Lauderdale, effective November 1. The award-winning airline will operate one daily flight on the route year-round, providing Syracuse with its only nonstop link to South Florida. Fares start as low as $99(a) each way, and include the airline's signature 36 channels of DIRECTV(r) programming and more than 100 channels of XM Satellite Radio.
Syracuse's sought-after snowbird route comes on the heels of yesterday's announcement that the low-fare, high-frills airline will add new nonstop service between Buffalo and Fort Lauderdale, also effective November 1. From Syracuse Hancock International Airport, JetBlue currently flies four-times daily to New York/JFK and once daily to Orlando. JetBlue now offers service between Fort Lauderdale and six destinations in the Empire State including Newburgh, New York/JFK, New York/LaGuardia, and White Plains. The airline also offers the most service between New York and the Sunshine State.
"As the only low-cost, low-fare airline in Syracuse, customers in Central New York have flocked to JetBlue, and we are pleased to begin the service they've asked for," said Trey Urbahn, JetBlue's Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer. "We look forward to welcoming them aboard this new snowbird route."
JetBlue's new service between Syracuse and Fort Lauderdale:
------------------------------------------------------------------- Syracuse, NY (SYR) to Fort Lauderdale, FL (FLL) to Fort Lauderdale, FL (FLL) Syracuse, NY (SYR) ------------------------------------------------------------------- Depart - Arrive Depart - Arrive ------------------------------------------------------------------- 2:15 p.m. - 5:20 p.m. 6:00 p.m. - 9:05 p.m. ) (eff. Nov. 1) eff. Nov. 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------
"Today's news is a grand slam for both JetBlue and Syracuse," said Senator Charles E. Schumer. "Syracuse residents will no longer be inconvenienced by long layovers and astronomical ticket prices to reach Fort Lauderdale. JetBlue has stepped up to the plate to make efficient and affordable air service a reality for travelers in Syracuse, and local residents have once again proven a basic law of economics: when you offer top-shelf service at an affordable price, people scoop it up."
"This is great news from JetBlue, creating even more options for people coming to and from Syracuse, and coming on the heels of the Buffalo announcement yesterday, only increasing the number of flights that JetBlue is using to connect Upstate New York with the rest of the country and the world," said Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. "This is good news for tourists and business travelers alike. I am very pleased that JetBlue continues to increase service in New York."
"Increasing transportation options to and from Upstate New York is a critical component of economic development in our region," said U.S. Representatives Michael A. Arcuri (D-Utica) who is a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. "While this will help people escape the cold, it will also bring tourists and business people to Upstate New York with increased ease and affordability. Congratulations to JetBlue and I look forward to working with the airline to bring more business to Upstate New York."
Syracuse Mayor Matthew J. Driscoll said, "The Florida markets have always been a top destination for not only leisure travelers, but business travelers as well. The direct service to Fort Lauderdale will not only make it easier to get there, the low cost fares will make it more affordable as well, and stimulate competition. The airport has seen an increase in passengers over the past several months, which can directly be attributed to additional service, like this one by JetBlue. This benefits not only passengers, but the domino effect to the airport community is a benefit to all."
"In an increasingly interconnected world, convenient, nonstop jet service is more critical than ever for economic development and a region's quality of life," said Irwin L. Davis, president & CEO of the Metropolitan Development Association of Syracuse and Central New York. "Connecting Syracuse and South Florida benefits business and leisure travelers in both regions. I am certain that this will be a successful route for JetBlue."
Customers flying JetBlue between Syracuse and Fort Lauderdale will travel in style aboard JetBlue's brand-new EMBRAER 190, a full-size 100-seat jet which features a spacious cabin with all-leather seats in a 2 x 2 configuration -- no middle seat! All nonstop flights between Syracuse and Fort Lauderdale will also include JetBlue's signature 36 channels of DIRECTV(r) programming at every seat -- the most free live television of any airline -- in addition to more than 100 channels of XM Satellite Radio. JetBlue's fleet offers the most legroom in coach.
Customers enrolled in JetBlue's customer loyalty program, TrueBlue, will earn four TrueBlue points each way for nonstop flights between Syracuse and Fort Lauderdale. Double TrueBlue points are awarded for travel purchased online at www.jetblue.com. Customers can earn TrueBlue points even faster by using the JetBlue Card from American Express. Every time cardholders purchase JetBlue travel with the Card, or earn at least one TrueBlue point through other purchasing using the Card, all TrueBlue points in the member's account automatically extend for another 12 months.
New York-based JetBlue Airways has created a new airline category based on value, service and style. Known for its award-winning service and free TV as much as its low fares, JetBlue is now pleased to offer customers the most legroom throughout coach (based on average fleet-wide seat pitch for U.S. airlines). JetBlue is also America's first and only airline to offer its own Customer Bill of Rights, with meaningful compensation for customers inconvenienced by service disruptions within JetBlue's control. Visit www.jetblue.com/promise for details. JetBlue serves 54 cities with up to 575 daily flights. 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.
JetBlue's 36 channels of DIRECTV(r) service are 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.
(a) All fares are subject to change without notice. Fares require up to a 7-day advance purchase. Lowest fares may not be available on all days or on all flights. Lowest fares are most often found on midweek travel dates. 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 $25 at jetblue.com, with 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 $3.40 per domestic segment. A segment is a takeoff and landing. 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.
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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 ability to operate reliably the EMBRAER 190 aircraft; 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 2006 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.