JetBlue has confirmed the long rumors that it will go trans-Atlantic with flights to London from its New York and Boston hubs, with flights set to start in 2021.
And there’s a lot to do in the meantime, including taking delivery of A321LR planes, getting FAA approval for the long overwater operation and—neither least nor last—working out which London airport it will use.
JetBlue, which is a discounter but not an ultra-low-cost airline has focused its business on offering lower-cost fares on routes that have little competition or high fares, or, as more recently, on undercutting the prices on premium seats on routes where there’s strong demand for them. Its Mint product has a lot of fans, and that’s the tool the airline hopes to use to crack the London oyster.
The airport question is possibly a big one; most trans-Atlantic flights use either Heathrow or Gatwick, both of which have capacity issues, but they are also the airports with the best connections for onward flights, or for quick access to London.
