JetBlue announces Paris CDG as second transatlantic destination

Low-cost carrier JetBlue (JBLU) has announced Paris as its second transatlantic destination, with services starting in summer 2023.

JetBlue (JBLU) said it hopes to take market share from the established legacy players, which traditionally dominate the lucrative market for travel across the Atlantic.

“JetBlue (JBLU) is offering something completely unique to what you get from the big global legacy airlines on these routes – where a single high-fare joint venture operates nearly three-quarters of the flying,” said Robin Hayes, chief executive officer of JetBlue (JBLU).

The US carrier started transatlantic flights when it launched a route to London in August 2021 and now operates five daily flights between the United States and the United Kingdom.

When will JetBlue fly to Paris from?
JetBlue (JBLU) will first launch direct flights between New York John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) in summer 2023.

The airline said it also plans to operate between Boston Logan International (BOS) and CDG at a future date.

Tickets will go on sale in the coming months.

Using narrowbody aircraft on transatlantic routes
Low-cost long-haul has proven a tricky market to break into, with budget carriers such as Norwegian and Wow trying and failing to crack the transatlantic market.

JetBlue (JBLU) said the Airbus A321 Long Range aircraft allows it to fly to long-haul destinations, such as London and Paris, that it could not manage with other single-aisle aircraft. JetBlue (JBLU) redesigned its cabins for transatlantic flights and offers 114 seats in economy and 24 Mint suites.

JetBlue (JBLU) converted 13 aircraft in its A321 order book to the LR version in April 2019 and has converted another 13 to the Extra-Long Range aircraft, the A321 XLR.

JetBlue (JBLU) earlier this year won a bidding battle for ultra low-cost carrier Spirit and is awaiting regulatory approval for the deal.