Cost-effective upstart airline JetBlue has been giving the big boys a run for their money since it was incorporated in 1998. The New-York-based airline has consistently reported improved earnings thanks to its ability to stride the line between the cheap fares longed for by everyday travelers and the luxury amenities craved by higher spenders. For the entirety of their lifespan, JetBlue has garnered rave reviews for their North American service.
Now, though, it seems like JetBlue is aiming to up its game by (possibly) moving into truly international flights. In the heady language of the company’s second quarter earnings report, JetBlue indicated that it would begin the process of purchasing 30 A321’s over the course of the next two years. While the company claimed that these planes were being bought for the purpose of expanding their luxury and business clientele, the long range variant of the A321 would make it extremely easy for the popular air carrier to expand their service to Europe, a plan that would be welcomed by consumers and potentially dreaded by larger airlines.
JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes said, “This enhanced airplane type could well be a game-changer for us and provide us the ability for JetBlue flights Europe from other East Coast focused cities, should we choose to do so.”
The same sentiment was echoed by other executives at the company which would indicate that — while the brass is playing it casual — JetBlue just might have expansion on the brain moving forward.
