JetBlue Airways announced on Wednesday that it will cut additional unprofitable routes, adjust its European service, and redeploy aircraft with high-value Mint business class cabins to improve its financial performance. The airline aims to streamline its operations and focus on markets with higher demand to achieve consistent profitability.
Among the most notable changes, JetBlue will halt service between Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Jacksonville, Florida, as well as several routes from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Austin, Texas; Houston, Texas; Miami; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The carrier will also discontinue flights from Westchester, N.Y., and Milwaukee, along with ending service to San Jose, California.
One significant change includes the removal of planes equipped with Mint business class from Seattle flights in April. JetBlue stated that it will also cease its JFK-Miami route due to profitability issues in Miami, where legacy carriers like American Airlines and Delta dominate the market. However, the airline will continue to serve Miami from Boston.
“Florida remains a strong geography for JetBlue, but post-COVID, we haven’t been profitable in Miami due to the dominance of legacy carriers,” said Dave Jehn, JetBlue’s vice president of network planning, in a staff memo.
In terms of European operations, JetBlue revealed plans to adjust its service offerings. Starting in the summer 2025 season, it will drop its second daily JFK-Paris flight and the seasonal JFK-London Gatwick route. The carrier is also preparing to announce new European service options next week.
These operational adjustments come after JetBlue reported better-than-expected revenue and bookings for November and December, resulting in an 8% increase in shares on Wednesday. CEO Joanna Geraghty and her leadership team are focusing on cutting unprofitable routes, particularly on the West Coast, and mitigating the impact of engine issues related to Pratt & Whitney engines, while also adapting to post-pandemic demand shifts.
JetBlue assured affected customers that they would be offered alternate flight options or refunds if no other routes were available.
“We’ve made network adjustments in certain markets, removing underperforming flights and reallocating resources, including Mint service, to high-demand markets and new opportunities,” JetBlue said in a statement.