JetBlue cuts routes spanning LAX, South America

A JetBlue Airways plane is shown preparing to take off from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Jan. 31, 2024. JetBlue Airways told staff on Tuesday that it is cutting several routes in an effort to reduce costs following a failed acquisition attempt of Spirit Airlines and engine issues grounding some of its Airbus planes. The carrier will be reducing its departures from Los Angeles International Airport and focusing on profitable transcontinental routes, including its Mint business class cabin. Routes being cut include service from Los Angeles to various cities and international destinations. JetBlue will also be ending flights to certain cities in June and focusing on profitable routes along the East Coast and Caribbean vacation destinations. CEO Joanna Geraghty is facing pressure to reduce expenses and return the airline to profitability. JetBlue had already begun a cost-cutting program prior to the recent changes. These changes do not impact JetBlue’s planned capacity for the year. The carrier is now charting its path as a stand-alone airline following the failed acquisition attempts with Spirit Airlines and American Airlines.

JetBlue Airways is cutting a number of routes to reduce costs after a failed attempt to acquire Spirit Airlines and issues with Pratt & Whitney engines that have grounded some Airbus planes. The carrier will decrease departures from Los Angeles International Airport and end flights to several destinations including Bogota, Quito, Lima, and Kansas City. JetBlue will focus on profitable transcontinental routes with its Mint business class cabin, as well as “bread and butter” routes along the East Coast and to Caribbean vacation destinations. CEO Joanna Geraghty is facing pressure to return the airline to profitability after activist investor Carl Icahn disclosed a 10% stake in the carrier and won two board seats. JetBlue had already begun cost-cutting initiatives before Icahn’s involvement. The changes announced do not affect the carrier’s planned capacity for the year, as it expects a slight decrease from 2023. JetBlue is now charting its path as a stand-alone airline after its failed attempts to merge with Spirit Airlines and partner with American Airlines in the Northeast.

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