Summary
- JetBlue is reportedly changing inflight maps to align with US guidelines for the Middle East.
- The airline faced backlash for its staff’s previous geopolitical stance.
- Major international airlines are canceling flights to Israel due to escalating tensions in the region.
The New York-based airline JetBlue is reportedly changing its inflight maps after Israel was mistakenly labeled as the Palestinian Territories. The news comes as Israel continues its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, with the US offering its support to Israel.
US map guidance for the region
JetBlue’s decision to change its inflight maps comes in response to criticism from passengers who noticed the issue, as well as US guidelines for the Middle East, according to a report by Ynet News. In a comment to the publication, the airline’s spokesperson said:
“We’re sorry for the concern this has caused. We can assure you that no one on the JetBlue team was involved with drawing or labeling the map of the region, and we were not previously aware of the issue.”
It added that “it has decided to switch to a new map vendor. While our content provider works on making this transition, we have also asked the current vendor to adjust our onboard map so that it aligns with the US government’s map guidance for the region.”
Simple Flying has asked JetBlue for a comment.
Tensions onboard
This is not the first time
JetBlue
has faced criticism over this geopolitical issue.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
In May 2024, a Jewish passenger, Paul Faust, shared a video on Instagram claiming he was accused of ‘causing a disturbance’ after bringing a flight attendant’s ‘Free Palestine’ lapel pin to a supervisor’s attention. The passenger in question was also calling to boycott the New York-based airline.
In response, the airline apologized and added that they “have changed our uniform policy to make clear that onboard the aircraft is not the right place for crewmembers to advocate positions on certain issues or political topics.”
Growing security fears
Since late July, growing concerns about a spreading war in the Middle East have prompted several international airlines to cancel flights to Israel. As tensions in the region persist, major global carriers, including the three largest US airlines, continue to halt flights to Israel.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has once again severely impacted nonstop services between the United States and Israel.
Delta Air Lines
has extended its suspension of flights to Israel until October 31, 2024.
United Airlines
reinstated the indefinite suspension of flights to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) after temporarily resuming some direct flights between the US and Tel Aviv earlier this year.
Photo: Channing Reid | Simple Flying
Meanwhile,
American Airlines
has suspended flights to Israel through late March 2025, extending a break in service that started in the early days of the war in Gaza.
European airlines have also been canceling flights to the country, which is currently embroiled in the war with Gaza and experiencing escalating tensions between the IDF and Hezbollah in Lebanon.