JAX/JIA updates

[Steve]

JetBlue's JAX-LAX hit the can:

https://thepointsguy.com/news/jetblue-route-cuts-nyc-florida/

To me it was an odd route to begin with. JetBlue isn't hugely competitive as an LAX hub, and I felt like they were a ways away from being competitive there.

I think the Newark flight was also axed.

Yep. I think the EWR stuff may also be related to them divesting gates at EWR as a potential condition of the Spirit Merger.

Side note....I have no idea what JetBlue is doing. Why they'd want to expand significantly at Newark makes zero sense, given their massive presence at JFK. JFK and EWR serve similar purposes - both are a bit from Manhattan, both are international capable, etc. Every other airline either has a significant presence at one or the other; no one has a significant presence at both. LGA is different as there are a couple airlines that have hubs at both LGA and either JFK or EWR (Delta and American come to mind). That and the desperation to buy Spirit, an airline that really doesn't harmonize well with them is mind boggling.

[Gators312]

That and the desperation to buy Spirit, an airline that really doesn't harmonize well with them is mind boggling.

The Spirit purchase is simply about Airbus aircraft and pilots. Spirit has 181 Airbus 320 Family aircraft and another 130 on order.  JetBlue is an all Airbus fleet and Airbus' 320 order book is sold out through 2026-2027.

[JaxJersey-licious]

Yeah the JetBlue delays have been maddening. And many have not been weather related. It was things like not having available gates or pilots maxing out their hours of flight time. But what's really messed up is the JFK transfers to American Airlines flights. AA is in a different terminal but the Airtrain is no use because its far and they have to go through security again so a minor delay is really problematic for passengers. Numerous times getting off at JFK have we been asked to make room for panicked travelers desperate to make the shuttle to take them to the AA gates.

A shame to lose those Newark and LAX flights. Those Newark flights were always full and with a lot of Southern Californians considering moving to Florida losing that non-stop will be a missed opportunity. I'm hopeful Breeze and possibly Avelo will see this and capitalize with West coast flights of their own.

[Snaketoz]

Breeze has announced new non stops from Jax to Las Vegas.

[jaxlongtimer]

The Las Vegas flight leaves at 9:50 a.m. and arrives at 11:50 a.m. Flights from Las Vegas leave at 12:30 p.m. and arrive at 8 p.m. Fares will be as low as $122.

Help me out here.  The flight from Jax to LV is 4 hours (adjusting for the 2 hour time zone differential).  But the return flights are 5.5 hours?  How can that be if they are nonstop.  Usually, east bound flights are shorter due to prevailing tail winds, to boot.

[Jason]

The raw flight time from Jax to Vegas is 5 hours.  The return trip is about 4.5 hours.

[Steve]

Looks like Breeze is going to be the next to try the JAX-LAX route that no one can seem to make work:

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2023/feb/14/breeze-airlines-launching-nonstop-service-from-jacksonville-to-los-angeles/

Delta tried it about a decade ago, and JetBlue just tried it recently. No luck for them.

[JaxJersey-licious]

Breeze Airlines should have no problem having success with these flights. The issue with the JAX-LAX flights offered by JetBlue wasn't demand but because of the pilot shortage right after the pandemic had them reevaluate flights and they made a lot more money selling Mint premium level seats for their flights out of their traditional hubs in New York, Boston, Ft. Lauderdale, and Orlando.

Breeze Airways shouldn't have that issue. Hopefully this will open the door for non-stop JAX-SFO flights in the future.

[Snaketoz]

JAX-PHX too.

[Snaketoz]

Does anyone know what aircraft will be used for the LA flight?

[jaxdan3]

Does anyone know what aircraft will be used for the LA flight?

Airbus A220-300

[Steve]

Does anyone know what aircraft will be used for the LA flight?

Airbus A220-300

The A220 is a home run for airlines in that market. Since the regional jets are at the edge of range for a flight like that, most airlines have to run a plane that's about 150 seats, which makes the economics tough. The A220-100 (at least in Delta's config) seats 108, and can make the flight with ease.

Now, I hadn't heard the reason JetBlue dumped JAX-LAX - the pilot thing absolutely could be the reason.

In terms of routes I want to see JAX get, tops on my list would be Delta running a JAX-SLC flight. They likely won't add while SLC is a little gate constrained (they're at a weird phase in their airport rebuilt and are using bus gates for some flights), but this would be REALLY nice for west coast connections.

[Steve]

Completely unrelated to the new flights, but related to JAX and Delta: Two of the SkyClub employees told me that Delta is going to be moving their gates to the new Concourse B once completed. Not sure if they plan to take all 6 gates (which would be a +2 from today) or split it with someone that needs 1-2 gates, but noteworthy.

They also said they'll be building a new SkyClub in that concourse too, which is awesome for Delta folks.

[marcuscnelson]

Maybe if Breeze is sticking around for the long haul (lol) they take the other two?

A new SkyClub sounds like it'd be real nice, especially if it's conveniently placed near Delta-specific gates. With the security area expansion the existing SkyClub looks like it'll be in kind of an awkward position anyway.

[JAX_ASD]

I believe American is slated to take four of the gates in Concourse B.