JetBlue Drops Dozens of US, International Routes

JetBlue is dropping dozens of US routes and to popular international destinations, adding more upscale Mint Blue seats and offering new perks on Basic Blue budget seats.

It’s all very confusing, and an effort to boost the bottom line.

Flight Routes Being Dropped

The airport losing the most flights is Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA), where JetBlue is reducing daily flights from 27 to 20 by March 2025.

Currently, JetBlue’s destinations from DCA include Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Nassau, Orlando, San Juan, and West Palm Beach, along with seasonal services to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

As part of the capacity reduction, JetBlue is ending service entirely to Fort Myers entirely and reducing flights to other destinations.

Additionally, the airline has shelved its plans to resume the Washington to New York-JFK route. A year ago, JetBlue dropped many flights out of both JFK and LaGuardia

Fewer flights from LAX

Earlier this year, JetBlue scaled back operations at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), cutting underperforming routes including. Cancun, Las Vegas, Miami, Reno, Seattle, Newark, Orlando, and San Francisco.

The airline reportedly is focusing on its stronger hubs, such as New York and Boston, in an effort to stabilize its finances.

JetBlue’s cost-saving measures have also affected its transatlantic operations.

Also as reported by Travel Weekly, starting in October 2024, JetBlue is pausing year-round services from Boston and New York to London Gatwick. These routes are expected to resume in June 2025.

Flights to London Heathrow from both Boston and New York are not affected and will continue as scheduled.

Upscale airplane cabin_ecoxplorer — Photo: JetBlue Mint Cabin

More Higher-Priced Mint Blue Seats

But at the same time it is canceling routes, the travel trade publication Travel Weekly reports the airline is adding routes that feature its top-flight Mint Blue service.

I interpret this as focusing on selling higher-priced seats – business and luxury travelers – at the expense of the rest of us.

Since Mint Blue takes up more room per passenger than economy, it will mean fewer economy seats – and higher prices for them.

The airline has been withdrawing from several cities and reducing flights on numerous routes over the past few months to cut costs and concentrate on more profitable markets.

More Perks for Lower-Priced Basic Blue Seats

Starting September 6, 2024, JetBlue is elevating the value of its Blue Basic fare by including one free carry-on bag regardless of purchase date of the ticket.

Previously, customers who wished to bring a carry-on bag would need to purchase one of JetBlue’s other fare options or purchase an Even More Space seat.

The change makes JetBlue’s basic economy offering one of the industry’s best values for price-conscious consumers. Passengers also get free, unlimited in-flight wi-fi and seatback entertainment.

Click here for luggage rules on all JetBlue flights.

Buyouts for Employees

In addition to network reductions, JetBlue has been offering voluntary buyout packages to some non-flight employees.

The buyouts do not include such critical roles as pilots, flight attendants or and technicians.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.