Good news for many Atlanta travelers! JetBlue Airways has indicated that it intends to resume serving Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in September 2017. According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the airline recently
“…sent a letter of interest to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, saying it plans to renew service to Atlanta in September 2017.
The airline said it plans 16 daily flights as long as it can get access to two gates suitable for large aircraft “and higher end business and leisure travelers that JetBlue is targeting in the Atlanta market.”
JetBlue last served Atlanta in 2003.
Image courtesy of JetBlue Airways
My Take
This is really good news. As you know, I routinely fly Delta, and I don’t think that’s going to change. However, a little competition, especially from a great airline like JetBlue, is a good thing for Atlanta travelers, and I would opine, even for Delta. It never hurts to have someone keeping you on your toes and JetBlue’s superior coach product offering might be just the ticket for that.
JetBlue did not disclose the markets it would serve, but I would speculate that New York, Boston, and perhaps Fort Lauderdale might be good launch markets. That’s probably a better idea than the west coast market they started off with before. Which markets do you expect JetBlue will serve when they finally return to Atlanta?
-MJ, July 8, 2016
@don
You are only thinking on one city pair, jetblue’so operation in FLL opens caribbean, central and South America.
ATL’s prices are ridiculous! I am so glad that JetBlue decided to step up and keep the others on their toes. While I feel that Delta offers a great product for domestic travel, JetBlue does offer more bang for the buck with a totally-connected tech experience for the traveler, something that Delta lacks on its older planes.
I wonder if ATL will make space for these “larger planes” on Concourse D, because we all know Big Mama Bear Delta isn’t letting JetBlue in on T, A, or B!
JetBlue will have to fly to either FLL or MCO for sure, along with JFK, BOS, and probably LGB. If they are going to do 16 daily flights, then it will be to at least four hubs, and maybe five.
I do not think FLL-ATL is viable considering that Spirit operates this as hub to focus city and SWA also does this hub to focus city.
JFK/BOS-ATL would be great. I also think SJU-ATL could work well because Puerto Ricans (and diaspora which is growing in the South) are familiar with JB product
I like your SJU idea, Don. Fares from ATL-SJU have been “special” the last few times I’ve checked.
16 daily would likely be the largest JetBlue station opening ever and lower prices across the board. would be very welcome!