NEW YORK, NY—(Marketwired – May 04, 2015) – JetBlue Airways (NASDAQ: JBLU), the largest airline operating to the Caribbean, today announced its continued expansion in the region as it filed an intent to serve Antigua's V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU) three times weekly from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), with the aim to launch service on November 5, subject to receipt of government operating authority. Additionally, the airline will add seasonal weekly service from Boston's Logan International Airport (BOS) to Barbados' Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI), which will launch November 7, subject to receipt of government operating authority.
“We offer customers more flights to the Caribbean than any other airline, and the beautiful destination of Antigua will be a great addition to our network for those wanting to discover something new. A gorgeous Caribbean island, Antigua offers beaches, history and romance, along with world–class resorts like Sandals Grande Antigua,” said Dave Clark, vice president, network planning, JetBlue. “Barbados has proven to be a favorite for our New York customers, and we're happy to provide Bostonians the chance to experience the beauty and culture of Barbados.”
Antigua is one of the largest Caribbean markets not currently served by JetBlue and will grow the airline's robust JFK leisure route portfolio. Subject to receipt of government operating authority, flights between New York and Antigua will begin November 5 and will be available for purchase in May when the winter season schedule becomes accessible.
“We are excited to be bringing JetBlue to Antigua and Barbuda following successful negotiations. As a new airline flying into Antigua, JetBlue will make the destination more accessible to visitors searching for affordable and direct same–day connections,” said Antigua and Barbuda's Minister of Tourism, Economic Development, Investment and Energy Asot A. Michael.
The Boston–Barbados flight is the fifth new seasonal service to the Caribbean and Latin America launched from Boston in the last year following Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR); Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (POP), which begins June 17; Saint Lucia (UVF); and Port–au–Prince, Haiti (PAP). JetBlue also recently announced it would offer its highly successful Mint experience on flights between JFK to Barbados this winter with Saturday service between November 7, 2015 and April 30, 2016, and daily service between December 19, 2015 and January 4, 2016.
“Boston is one of the most affluent regions on the eastern seaboard of the United States and it presents an opportunity to diversify Barbados' tourism business beyond the current U.S. gateways. We look forward to continued strong cooperative marketing efforts with our partners at JetBlue to ensure the success of this new service,” said Barbados' Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Richard Sealy.
The weekly Boston–Barbados flight will complement JetBlue's existing daily service from New York JFK, which was launched in 2009. Flights are now available for sale with an introductory fare of only $149 one way (a) between Boston and Barbados between November 7 and December 12, 2015. JetBlue Getaways will offer customers heading to Barbados the opportunity to bundle flights and hotels, as well as with their car rentals and other amenities and activities. 4–day, 3–night packages will start at $345 per person (b) at Courtyard by Marriott Bridgetown, Barbados.
JetBlue's flights to both Antigua and Barbados will be operated on a 150–seat Airbus A320 and will offer the airline's award–winning service featuring assigned and comfortable seating; complimentary and unlimited name–brand snacks and non–alcoholic/soft drinks; free first–run Hollywood movies on flights to the Caribbean; and the most legroom in coach (based on average fleet–wide seat pitch of U.S. airlines).
JetBlue's Schedule between Boston and Barbados on Saturdays as of November 7, 2015:
BOS – BGI
BGI – BOS
7.45Â a.m. – 1.39 p.m.
2.35 p.m. – 6.59 p.m.
About JetBlue Airways
JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airlineâ„¢, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale– Hollywood, Los Angeles (Long Beach), Orlando, and San Juan. JetBlue carries more than 32 million customers a year to 88 cities in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America with an average of 825 daily flights. Upcoming destinations include: Reno–Tahoe, Nev. on May 28; Grenada on June 11, 2015 and Albany, N.Y. on December 10, 2015. For more information please visit JetBlue.com.
(a) Fare Restrictions: Fare includes government taxes/fees and must be purchased by 5/5/15 (the earlier of 11:59 PM ET or local) for flights from Boston, MA (BOS) to Bridgetown, Barbados (BGI) on Saturday only between 11/7/15 and 12/12/15 (blackout date: 11/21/15) This fare is valid for Boston, MA originating (southbound) traffic only. BOS–BGI non–stop service available Saturday ONLY until April 2016. 14–day advance purchase required. Fare is subject to limited availability; may not be available on all days or all flights; may change without notice; must be purchased at time of reservation; and is one–way, nonstop (except as otherwise noted), nonrefundable and nontransferable. Reservations made one week or more prior to a flight's scheduled departure may be canceled without penalty up to 24 hours after the reservation is made. First checked bag is included (weight and size limits and exceptions for itineraries including flights marked or operated by other airlines apply). Fares do not include fees for oversized/overweight/extra baggage or other fees for products/services sold separately. To view baggage fees and other optional services and fees, click here. $25 fee per person applies to fares purchased by phone or at an airport or ticket office. Cancellations/changes must be made prior to scheduled departure (otherwise all money for fare is forfeited); $150 change/cancel fee per person will apply, and for changes, there may be a fare adjustment. Cancellations receive JetBlue travel credit, valid for one year. Proper documentation required for boarding. All deadlines based on EST. Other restrictions apply.
(b)Â Price is per person, based on double occupancy, and includes hotel rates, hotel taxes, roundtrip airfare, and gov't taxes/fees applicable to airfare based on specified departure city. Price may vary for other departure cities. Price shown is sample price found 4/30/15 on jetblue.com/getaways for travel departing BOS; is available on select dates: 11/9 – 11/12/2015 and 11/16–11/19/2015 and may not represent current savings. Package/price subject to availability; may change without notice; valid for new bookings only; capacity controlled; may not be available on all dates or with all flights; and may be restricted to certain hotel room categories. Package must be purchased at time of reservation and is nonrefundable and nontransferable. Changes/cancellations must be in accordance with JetBlue and hotel policies. JetBlue requires changes/cancellations to be made prior to scheduled departure, otherwise all money for package will be forfeited; $150 change/cancel fee per person applies. Hotel change/cancel policies and fees apply, vary by property, and may be more restrictive than the JetBlue policy. Call 1–800–JETBLUE, option 3 for the specific change/cancellation policies and fees that apply to a particular package. For changes, there may be an increase in package price. Valid cancellations are for Getaways credit only, valid for 1 year. Proper documentation required for boarding. Other restrictions apply.