JetBlue Airways has announced new service between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Tallahassee International Airport (TLH) beginning in January 2024, as the airline lays out new plans for more low-fare, high-value flights in South Florida.
After its planned combination with Spirit, JetBlue expects to reach more than 250 flights a day at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood by 2027.
Broward County’s master plan for further development of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport would enable JetBlue to grow to more than 250 daily flights. JetBlue has already committed support for a new Terminal 5 and is ready to partner with the airport on further expansion to increase capacity.
More Routes, More Choices for South Florida
JetBlue plans to combine with Spirit and further grow its Fort Lauderdale schedule over the coming years, ultimately reaching more than 250 daily departures by 2027 and making Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood an even more compelling choice for South Florida customers. While both carriers have had success in Fort Lauderdale, the combination between JetBlue and Spirit will unlock long-term opportunities to add domestic and international markets and routes that would not be possible otherwise:
- JetBlue would offer flights to approximately 30 markets not served by either JetBlue or Spirit from Fort Lauderdale today and would add more flight frequencies to approximately 30 additional markets.
- Fort Lauderdale will become an even more attractive alternative to Miami on more routes. From Fort Lauderdale, JetBlue and Spirit currently serve 66 of the top 100 markets available from Miami International Airport today (within range of existing and planned JetBlue fleet). After completing its planned expansion, JetBlue would serve from Fort Lauderdale approximately 90 of the top 100 Miami markets.
- With a more competitive position in South Florida, JetBlue would plan to launch service between Fort Lauderdale and Europe with its game-changing transatlantic Mint and core experiences that have brought down high fares for European travel.
- The larger network would make a number of routes viable that aren’t today, with examples including destinations like as Antigua; Belize; Cincinnati; Liberia, Costa Rica; Minneapolis; Memphis, Tenn.; and Savannah, Ga.
Commitment to South Florida and FLL’s Master Plan
JetBlue’s expansion plan, which will be bolstered by its planned acquisition of Spirit, underscores the airline’s long-term commitment to Florida and signals support for the airport’s master plan to further grow and develop airport facilities.
JetBlue estimates its plan would add approximately 1,000 incremental new jobs at the airline’s Fort Lauderdale operations, and further support economic activity across the region that will lead to additional job growth. In addition, JetBlue’s no furlough policy ensures that current Spirit team members who wish to stay with the combined airline will have a role with JetBlue. Today, JetBlue and Spirit employ nearly 13,000 people in Florida, with service to 10 airports across the state. JetBlue has committed to insourcing many jobs that Spirit currently outsources to third-party providers. In addition, JetBlue maintains a focus city at MCO, support center, and crewmember training campus in Orlando.
Top Copyright Photo: JetBlue Airways Airbus A320-232 N605JB (msn 2368) (Boston Red Sox) FLL (Ian Bowley). Image: 959607.
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