JetBlue Expands to Long Island, Secures BA Codeshare

JetBlue Airways is set to introduce flights from New York’s Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) this fall, marking its debut at the Suffolk County airport and expanding its footprint in profitable leisure routes.

Commencing in October, JetBlue will launch three winter sun services from ISP, connecting the airport to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Orlando International Airport (MCO), and Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) utilizing Airbus A320 aircraft.

Located approximately 43 miles east of JetBlue’s primary hub at New York John F. Kennedy International Airport, ISP has traditionally focused on point-to-point routes, particularly to Florida, rather than hub connectivity with legacy carriers.

JetBlue’s entry into ISP aims to tap into the robust leisure demand from the Suffolk County area, with strong O&D markets including Orlando, West Palm Beach, Tampa, and Fort Lauderdale, collectively accounting for about 841,000 passengers in 2023—a 17% increase from the previous year according to Sabre Market Intelligence.

Starting October 24, JetBlue will operate 15 weekly departures from ISP, offering daily flights to Orlando and four times weekly to both Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach. The airline will face direct competition in all three markets, including services from Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines.

This expansion follows JetBlue’s strategic network adjustments, including scaling back operations at Los Angeles International Airport and focusing more on leisure and premium leisure markets post the Northeast Alliance (NEA) with American Airlines.

In a move to enhance global connectivity, JetBlue recently secured approval for a codeshare partnership with British Airways (BA), enabling both airlines to offer enhanced travel options across the U.S. and Europe.

Stay tuned for updates on JetBlue’s new routes from ISP and its evolving network strategy to meet passenger demand effectively.