Summary
- The Portuguese capital could be JetBlue’s next European destination.
- Although it has applied for slots, it has not yet been granted any at heavily constrained Lisbon.
- For now, JetBlue’s European network next summer comprises 11 routes and 13 daily flights, but Amsterdam remains a major problem.
JetBlue has applied for slots to serve Lisbon next summer. It is one of a few carriers to have done so, including Ethiopian Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, and WestJet. Elsewhere in Portugal, Delta has applied for slots at Porto. As ever, while it does not mean that they will launch, it does show intention.
JetBlue to Lisbon?
According to a summer 2024 report from Portugal’s slot coordinator, JetBlue has applied for 840 slot pairs. Spread across the whole aviation season, which will run from March 31st to October 26th, this equates to two daily take-offs and two daily landings. Of course, it does not mean it would operate that entire time.
While it has not specified routes, it would, of course, be daily from both New York JFK and Boston, the same network approach it takes to most of its other European destinations. Using the Airbus A321LR or potentially even regular A321neos, they would be under the length of many of its other European routes.
Image: GCMap
While Lisbon has often been rumored, it would be its seventh European destination, joining Amsterdam (despite all the slot problems there), Dublin (coming next year), Edinburgh (coming next year), London Gatwick, London Heathrow, and Paris CDG.
There is a problem
Let us not get too ahead of ourselves. While JetBlue applied for 840 slot pairs, it has thus far been given zero at the highly slot-constrained Portuguese capital.
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Obviously, applying for slots is one thing, but even if they are secured, it doesn’t mean service will begin. Many airlines apply for slots, get them, do not use them, and they are returned to the pool.
Photo: James Pearson | Simple Flying
Still, I would expect JetBlue to begin Lisbon in the next year or two. If it can secure enough workable and competitive slots, I suspect it’d start with a daily service to JFK, adding Boston when it can. This is often the approach it has taken.
What about Amsterdam?
It is unclear whether the intention to begin at Lisbon is due to the problem surrounding Amsterdam. Schiphol is cutting the number of available slots, ostensibly to reduce noise. As JetBlue is using ad hoc rather than historic slots, it does not have any available for next summer.
Unless something changes, it won’t fly to the Netherlands next summer. If it gets Lisbon slots, it could use the freed-up equipment. Alternatively, it could be that Portugal is considered a standalone means of growth.
Photo: Lukas Wunderlich | Shutterstock
11 routes – for now
As of November 14th and subject to change, JetBlue’s European network next summer is summarized below. It plans 13 daily flights (based on August 2024) across 11 routes. Start dates refer to the first departure from the US.
- JFK to London Heathrow: double daily
- JFK to Paris CDG: double daily
- JFK to Amsterdam: daily (no slots as yet; at significant risk)
- JFK to Dublin: daily (new; starts March 13th, 2024)
- JFK to Edinburgh: daily (new; starts May 22nd, 2024)
- JFK to London Gatwick: daily
- Boston to Amsterdam: daily (no slots as yet; at significant risk)
- Boston to Dublin: daily (new; starts March 13th, 2024)
- Boston to London Gatwick: daily
- Boston to London Heathrow: daily
- Boston to Paris CDG: daily (new; starts April 3rd, 2024)
Where else would you like JetBlue to fly in Europe? Let us know in the comments.
Sources: NAV Portugal report, Cirium, OAG