JetBlue, often an innovator among airlines, has another first to its name with the appointment of Joanna Geraghty (above) as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer, the first woman to head a major U.S. Airline.
Geraghty, who has been president of the airline, will replace Robin Hayes as CEO in February; Hayes is retiring for health reasons.
Her appointment comes at a critical time for JetBlue, which is awaiting a court decision on its deal to acquire Spirit Airlines; the merger has been challenged as anti-competitive by the Justice Department and a judge is scheduled to rule soon. If the deal goes through, JetBlue will become the 5th largest U.S. carrier.
