US airline Jetblue is reportedly set to launch flights between London and New York and Boston using the narrow-bodied A321LR aircraft.
Jetblue’s CEO Robin Hayes told the Independent the airline is “actively looking” at bringing its low-cost service to Europe.
Offering flights from London to JFK and Boston would give travellers heading to the US a new option with Jetblue’s multiple domestic destinations from those airports. The airline is currently the largest at Boston.
Hayes hinted that Jetblue could consider London airports other than Heathrow – particularly Gatwick and Stansted – saying the airline could succeed where others have failed because “we have a very well-known brand in the US, we have a very trusted brand, and we have a network behind both New York and Boston to support it”.
He also said the carrier might be able to offer lower-priced business-class fares on the routes and still make profit. Jetblue offers its Mint premium service on transcontinental flights, which is a similar standard to international long-haul business-class seats with lie-flat beds and complimentary wifi. Hayes said transcontinental fares have halved since the product was launched.
According to the Independent, an official announcement could be made in April, with flights due to begin in late 2019.
Julianna Bryan, manager of corporate communications at the airline, told BBT: "We plan to announce our decision on the Long Range version of the A321 in 2019.
"The transatlantic market – especially in the premium category – suffers from the same lack of competition and high fares that transcon routes in the US saw before Jetblue introduced Mint.
"Potential routes to Europe could provide us an opportunity to grow our focus cities of Boston and New York as we consider the best use of our aircraft from a margin perspective in those cities."
jetblue.com