With airlines struggling to return to profitability and looking to the resumption of business travel, JetBlue is trying something new: crossing the Atlantic.
The air carrier announced Thursday (Aug. 12) that it would begin transatlantic trips from New York to London, with the inaugural flight landing in Heathrow that morning.
It marked the first time JetBlue has served a destination outside of the Americas, making England the 26th country the airline serves, the company said in a news release.
“With JetBlue now connecting New York and London, travelers finally have the ability to enjoy low fares while also experiencing superior service,” JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes said.
“As the U.K. opens to travelers coming from America, our flights are well timed to meet the pent up demand for travel between our two countries. We look forward to welcoming U.K. travelers to the U.S. soon and launching service between Boston and London next year.”
JetBlue’s announcement comes at a time when major airlines are reporting signs of a turnaround. Last month, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines all reported positive profits. One major airline, United, showed losses in the second quarter of the year, but even those were smaller than the losses it suffered last year.
It’s also happening as airlines look forward to a return to business travel this fall, even in the face of the threat of the Delta variant.
As we reported last week, Delta Air Lines is bringing back flights to and from New York and Boston this fall, while Southwest is also restoring some business routes. American Airlines anticipates travelers will be headed to business hubs such as New York, Washington, D.C. and Chicago by October.
About 2.24 million people passed through airport security on Aug. 1, the highest level since the COVID outbreak began, according to Transportation Security Administration figures. That’s still 17 percent lower than the same time in 2019, with domestic business travel at about 40 percent of its levels from two years ago.
Read more: Airlines Are Pushing Back To Profitability, But B2B Travel’s Recovery Is Far From Certain
Delta Variant Could Squash The Return Of Business Travel
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NEW PYMNTS DATA: 58 PERCENT OF MULTINATIONAL FIRMS ARE USING CRYPTOCURRENCY
About: In spite of their price volatility and regulatory uncertainty, new PYMNTS research shows that 58 percent of multinational firms are already using at least one form of cryptocurrency — especially when moving funds across borders. The new Cryptocurrency, Blockchain and Global Business survey, a PYMNTS and Circle collaboration, polls 500 executives looks at the potential and the pitfalls facing crypto as it moves into the financial mainstream.
With airways struggling to return to profitability and trying to the resumption of enterprise journey, JetBlue is making an attempt one thing new: crossing the Atlantic.
The air service introduced Thursday (Aug. 12) that it might start transatlantic journeys from New York to London, with the inaugural flight touchdown in Heathrow that morning.
It marked the primary time JetBlue has served a vacation spot exterior of the Americas, making England the twenty sixth nation the airline serves, the corporate mentioned in a information launch.
“With JetBlue now connecting New York and London, vacationers lastly have the power to take pleasure in low fares whereas additionally experiencing superior service,” JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes mentioned.
“Because the U.Ok. opens to vacationers coming from America, our flights are properly timed to satisfy the pent up demand for journey between our two international locations. We sit up for welcoming U.Ok. vacationers to the U.S. quickly and launching service between Boston and London subsequent yr.”
JetBlue’s announcement comes at a time when main airways are reporting indicators of a turnaround. Final month, Delta Air Strains, American Airways and Southwest Airways all reported optimistic income. One main airline, United, confirmed losses within the second quarter of the yr, however even these have been smaller than the losses it suffered final yr.
It’s additionally taking place as airways sit up for a return to enterprise journey this fall, even within the face of the specter of the Delta variant.
As we reported final week, Delta Air Strains is bringing again flights to and from New York and Boston this fall, whereas Southwest can also be restoring some enterprise routes. American Airways anticipates vacationers will likely be headed to enterprise hubs reminiscent of New York, Washington, D.C. and Chicago by October.
About 2.24 million individuals handed by airport safety on Aug. 1, the very best stage for the reason that COVID outbreak started, in accordance with Transportation Safety Administration figures. That’s nonetheless 17 % decrease than the identical time in 2019, with home enterprise journey at about 40 % of its ranges from two years in the past.
Learn extra: Airways Are Pushing Again To Profitability, However B2B Journey’s Restoration Is Far From Sure
Delta Variant Might Squash The Return Of Enterprise Journey
——————————
NEW PYMNTS DATA: 58 PERCENT OF MULTINATIONAL FIRMS ARE USING CRYPTOCURRENCY
About: Regardless of their worth volatility and regulatory uncertainty, new PYMNTS analysis exhibits that 58 % of multinational corporations are already utilizing a minimum of one type of cryptocurrency — particularly when shifting funds throughout borders. The brand new Cryptocurrency, Blockchain and World Enterprise survey, a PYMNTS and Circle collaboration, polls 500 executives seems on the potential and the pitfalls going through crypto because it strikes into the monetary mainstream.
