Summary
- JetBlue is expanding its presence in Puerto Rico by opening a crew base at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport.
- The airline plans to grow its local workforce with up to 120 pilots and 325 flight attendants based in San Juan.
- JetBlue’s deployment of Airbus A321LR aircraft with lie-flat seating aims to counter Frontier Airlines’ recent moves in the Caribbean.
JetBlue is expanding in Puerto Rico by opening a crew base at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in Puerto Rico.
Opening its seventh crew base
JetBlue is the largest airline in Puerto Rico and intends to hold that position. Yesterday, JetBlue announced it was opening a crew base at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This is the second announcement within a month involving an expansion in San Juan, making it clear that JetBlue intends to hold its number-one spot on the island.
By the end of this year, JetBlue will have a crew base for pilots and flight attendants in operation at SJU, making it the seventh in the network. By 2025, the airline expects to add another 400+ local jobs, contributing to the local economy. According to the airline’s announcement, up to 120 pilots and 325 flight attendants will be based in Puerto Rico, meaning their trips will start and end in San Juan. JetBlue highlighted that by opening a new base, it will be able to recover faster during irregular operations like severe weather.
Photo: JetBlue
Warren Christie, JetBlue’s Chief Operating Officer, said,
“We’re so excited to base hundreds more crewmembers right here in San Juan, where we are proud to be the largest airline with plans to grow even more. The new crew base will support our operation as we grow and benefit the local economy in a place we are proud to call home.”
The opening of the new crew base will not only add new jobs but JetBlue’s previously announced expansion is expected to add about 80 jobs, from frontline operation positions to technical positions.
Competing with Frontier
It goes without saying that JetBlue is responding to Frontier Airlines’ actions. In recent months, Frontier announced it was opening a crew base in Puerto Rico and expanding its operations there. Earlier this month, JetBlue announced it would add several routes, a few of which compete directly with Frontier. JetBlue drove the fact that it is the largest airline in San Juan and will continue to be.
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As part of the expansion in San Juan, JetBlue will begin deploying some of its Airbus A321LR aircraft, which are configured with its renowned business class product, Mint. Mint offers lie-flat seating and unique dining options and will be available on one daily flight between San Juan and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York. JetBlue will be the only airline offering lie-flat seats between the two cities.
Photo: JetBlue
According to data from Cirium, an aviation analytics firm, more than 11,000 roundtrip flights are scheduled to and from San Juan in July. The airport is serviced by 18 airlines, including JetBlue, Copa Airlines, and Iberia. JetBlue has the largest market share by number of flights and seat offering.
In July, JetBlue will operate 2,322 flights to and from San Juan. The airline’s total seat offering is 398,752. Frontier’s seat offering is not far behind JetBlue’s, but it is number three in terms of the number of flights. Cape Air is the second-busiest airline at the airport by number of flights, with 1,862, while Frontier has 1,724. Frontier’s seat offering is 354,366, while Cape Air’s is 16,758.
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