JetBlue continues to grow its interline partnership portfolio, adding Air China to the list today. Air China and JetBlue will offer interline service at both Los Angeles and New York City‘s JFK airports, two of the gateways where Air China serves the United States. The agreement does not apply to the San Francisco gateway. Interline ticketing should be available starting later this summer. In addition to the interline agreement Air China will, pending government approval, enter into a code sharing agreement with JetBlue. This will allow them to add their CA code designator on certain routes operated by the New York City-based airline.
Additionally, JetBlue CEO Dave Barger indicated during the annual IATA conference in Beijing that, somewhere around 2015, JetBlue will look to add wide-body aircraft to its fleet. The two models mentioned were the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Airbus A350. Conveniently the suggested timing of the wide-body aircraft entering the fleet meshes nicely with the forthcoming expansion of T5 at JFK and the addition of a dedicated FIS facility in the terminal to handle international service and larger aircraft. The aircraft are expected to bolster the carrier’s LatAm presence initially.
Two moves – one bigger than the other – for JetBlue as it continue to grow.
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An all-coach, non-charter American airline that flies internationally? Haven’t seen much of that in my lifetime. That’ll be interesting
JetBlue already has a couple dozen or so international routes. The longest block time is around 6 hours so definitely shorter than something like deep South America, but they have flights across a decent chunk of LatAm and they seem to be filling up the planes more than not.
when will they come to Canada?
Where are they planning to fly the 787? Are they planning to enter Brazil?
You’re right Seth. I should have clarified something like “prestige” international routes
Eww on the Air China news. Friends don’t let friends fly Air China.
Until Air China’s safety record improves, I tend to agree with you.
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