JetBlue Airways News
Posted May 28, 2009 by Katie Blais
I am a recent Nantucket convert. As a born and raised New Englander, my family and I always ventured to Maine in the summer, the land of lobster and L.L. Bean, but recently I discovered Nantucket, (more specifically its big Figawi boat race over Memorial Day weekend, when the island turns into a big spring break party, preppy overload style with madras and critter pants galore). Regardless of my penchant for polo shirts and plaid, the island of Nantucket is gorgeous and I want to go back for a much more low-key weekend so I can bike the 14 miles of island, lie out on the beach, check out the whaling museum, and get my fill of seafood.
Thanks to JetBlue it might be a little easier to head back to the island. For the third year in a row JetBlue is starting up its Nantucket service. From now until September 8, starting at $79 one-way you can go nonstop from NYC or get super-easy connections via anywhere, from Chicago to Los Angeles. Fellow Bostonians like myself can book flights with JetBlue’s Cape Air service out of Logan (which also services Hyannis, Provincetown, and Martha’s Vineyard). It's a great idea for last-minute flight and long weekend getaways, and as a bonus you’ll beat that nasty Cape traffic!
What are you waiting for? Get your whale belts out, your Nantucket reds pressed, and hop on a flight.The summer is only so long!
Posted March 31, 2009 by Carl Unger
Everyone's been caught sleeping on the job, right? I mean, it's inevitable: Even if you don't take it to the George Costanza-level of building sleeping quarters under your desk, everyone, at some point, drifts off to Sleepytown while at work.
But what matters, one could argue, is not that you fall asleep, but how you wake up and whether or not your boss is staring at you when you do. (Note to my employers: I'm kidding, of course!)
Case in point: A JetBlue employee took a nap in the cargo hold of a plane that proceeded to fly between New York City and Boston. Yes, with the sleeping employee still in the cargo hold. Talk about a cheap flight, huh?
According to the AP, "The man was discovered by baggage handlers at Logan International Airport after the plane landed there Saturday. He told police he'd been accidentally locked inside the pressurized luggage compartment while taking a nap." Apparently the employee called JetBlue when he woke up and realized he was no longer on the ground.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is definitely not how you want to wake up when sleeping on the job. Fortunately the man was OK, but we'll see how he's doing after his supervisor has a word ...
(Photo: CDC.gov)
Posted January 30, 2009 by Katie Blais
Even though most people in my neck of the woods stopped watching football after the Pats went home—thanks a lot, New York—it's Super Bowl Sunday this weekend and there is no better excuse to gather with friends to enjoy some buffalo wings along with many other artery-clogging delicacies before heading into work Monday feeling a little under the weather.
For sports fans stuck at 30,000 feet during the big game, you can still get your Super Bowl on, if you happen to be flying JetBlue that is. You can catch the game, watch the Boss perform at halftime, and not miss a single zany commercial, thanks to JetBlue's 36 channels of in-flight entertainment. They are even throwing in something "super" special, offering passengers (of legal age, obviously) a game-day-themed drink with a little help from Stirrings Cocktail Mixers. Chose from a Steel Swizzle, Yellow Rush, Tumbleweed, or Shake your Tail Feather … it's a regular cocktail lounge in the cabin. If only you can find someplace to plug in a crock pot of pigs in a blanket and don't get stuck sitting next to an obnoxious fan from the opposing team.
If you want to spice up your Super Bowl party at ground level, here’s the recipe for Shake Your Tail Feather:
1 part Stirrings® Cosmopolitan Mixer
1 part Bacardi® Rum
Splash of Ginger Ale
Got any of your own favorite Super Bowl drink (or food) recipes? Please share them in the comment field below.
Posted December 17, 2008 by Carl Unger
JetBlue recently launched JetPaws, a new travel service that is pet "fur-iendly." (I swear I did not come up with that! It's from JetBlue's press release!) OK, so what does JetPaws provide, you might ask?
On the surface, it doesn't look like JetPaws is much more than a new branding initiative for JetBlue's existing pet policy, which consists of a $100 each-way fee for small dogs and cats in the cabin (JetBlue apparently doesn't allow animals in the cargo hold). But there are benefits to the new service.
JetPaws will kick in two TrueBlue points each way when you travel with your pet, which is a nice perk. Other than that, customers receive a pet carrier bag tag, which, JetBlue says, will "let everyone know your pet is ready to jet," as well as Travel Petiquette, "a handy list of JetBlue's social graces of pet travel." JetBlue will also send you a welcome email with information and tips for your upcoming flight, and the airline has a free pet travel guide available for download on its site.
From there, it gets kitschy. JetBlue is selling trademarked pet travel gear, including a Pet Carrier and a Pet Travel Kit, which includes a fleece blanket, a white rubber bone toy, and a 16-ounce bowl emblazoned with the JetPaws logo. And, for the four-legged passenger that wants to display some JetBlue love, the airline has dog-sized polo shirts and hoodies sporting the JetBlue logo and cute phrases like "JetWag" and "I only beg for Blue Chips." Seriously.
I'm a pet owner (the cutest dog and cat you ever did see), so I'm glad JetBlue is making pet travel seem more like a service than a hassle, even though my dog is too large to fly the JetBlue skies. And JetBlue does seem to have its heart in the right place by making (small) pets welcome aboard its planes. But JetBlue Doggie Polo shirts? I draw the line at dog clothes. I mean, small dogs in funny clothes are cute and all … the way they waddle around looking sort of confused … adorably confused … you know, I bet my dog would look cute in one of these … and Christmas is around the corner, so—wait! What am I saying? No clothes for dogs! No!
But good job otherwise, JetBlue. A well-deserved wag of the proverbial tail to you.
What do you think? Is JetPaws a step forward for travelers with pets, or just clever marketing? And would you get your little canine friend a JetBlue hoodie? Don't be shy
(Photo: Flickr)
Posted December 9, 2008 by Zak Patten
Whoever thought a low-cost airline would pair up with a high-end car service that specializes in limousines? Isn't that like a frog trying to kiss a princess? In this case, not exactly. As we all know, JetBlue is not exactly a no-frills airline, even if it does operate on a low-cost business model. And its new partner LimoRes.net appeals to clients who may actually shine their own shoes (at least once in awhile).
The tie-up will allow passengers to book ground transportation through LimoRes on jetblue.com/cars with "exclusive savings." And LimoRes will be in place at most of the carrier's destinations, including Boston, Fort Lauderdale, L.A./Long Beach, New York City, Orlando, and Washington, D.C./Dulles. But is this really a good fit? I think so.
Everyone's favorite airline may generate a lot of buzz among bargain hunters, but its snazzy new terminal featuring elegant cuisine at New York's JFK airport is sure to please Wall Street's superstar traders (thanks, bailout!) at the same time.
On the automotive side of this deal, LimoRes offers a wide variety of upscale rides, from the Lincoln Town Car to Mercedes limos and even behemoths like Hummer stretches (after all, gas is cheap again). And instead of getting a cabbie, you get a chauffeur. The two could be brothers, but if you're gonna pay for a limo, you know you want the driver with the white gloves. And LimoRes isn't just some Big Apple firm—there are apparently locations in 5,000 airports throughout 172 countries. It's the perfect big-time car service for the big shot in you.
OK, you see how amazing the service is, but now you're thinking, "with the economy crashing down, is this really the time for such extravagances?" Well, this is where we see that JetBlue and LimoRes might not be that different after all. Both offer a top-notch product while simultaneously keeping budget-conscious travelers in mind. JetBlue has all kinds of $49 sales and even LimoRes is offering a "2008 Recession Discount" that features 15 percent off online bookings. And their lowest rates aren't all that bad—just $32 from LaGuardia to midtown Manhattan (though that's probably not for rides in a stretch Escalade).
It could be a fairy-tale ending after all.
What do you think? Will you splurge for a LimoRes car and driver the next time you fly JetBlue? Leave a comment below and let me know.
(Photo: Orlando Limo)
Posted September 18, 2008 by Heather Gilbert
Traditionally when someone buys a new home, they lay out the brie and Chardonnay and invite people over so they can show off their new abode. The party is nice and hopefully nobody spills wine on the carpet or peeks in your medicine cabinet. And that’s about the end of the story. But what to do if you’ve just built a new 635,000-square-foot home to the tune of $800 million? Better buy more brie, because that’s got to be one hell of a party.
On Monday, September 22, JetBlue will be celebrating its new digs at JFK’s brand-spanking-new Terminal 5 (T5). This tri-level terminal has 26 gates across three concourses. And since it was designed with customer comfort and efficiency in mind, smack in the middle is a 55,000-square-foot central retail and concession marketplace. Sounds pretty posh, right? Well wait ‘til you hear about the housewarming celebration! JetBlue is so excited about its new domicile that it has invited a world-famous New York City dance troupe to perform the ribbon cutting, a famous pop singer to serenade guests, and T5 restaurant chefs to give cooking demonstrations. Guests can also get ready to discuss their favorite New York City factoids with Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the best things about pink beaches with Premier of Bermuda Ewart Brown, and why in-flight movie selections keep travelers happy with JetBlue Airways CEO Dave Barger.
Surely JFK’s Terminal 5 sounds like an oasis to weary travelers and here at BookingBuddy HQ, we’re excited by the concept of “customer comfort and efficiency.” What do you think about this new mega-terminal? Leave a comment below and let us know.
(Photo: JetBlue)
Posted September 11, 2008 by Heather Gilbert
Remember your mother used to follow up every “are we there yet?” moaned from the back of the station wagon with an enthusiastic “getting there is half the fun!”? Well, apparently your mom is now working for JetBlue. This week, the airline won the World Airline Entertainment Association’s award for best in-flight entertainment for the Americas. This prestigious award was voted on by real-life travelers just like you (or perhaps it was you, you on-line-survey-taking devil, you) and was celebrated with a “spectacular celebration choreographed and produced by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures as a salute to 40 years of in-flight entertainment.” Well then. I had no idea in-flight entertainment had been around that long.
This is not the first time JetBlue has been singled out for its commitment to making the journey half the fun. They’ve already been recognized for excellent customer service. We couldn’t be happier with their expanded movie selection. And in-flight Wi-Fi? We say Wi-finally! Yes JetBlue, keep it coming. Keep those skies friendly, fun, and fi-ed (okay that last one was a bit of a stretch). We’re keeping our eyes on you!
(Photo: upgradetravelbetter.com)
Posted August 28, 2008 by Nicki Krawczyk
I was actually tempted to title this post “JetBlue Doesn’t Want to Hear It,” but that would have been unfair; they just want their actual human customer service reps to have to hear it as rarely as possible. They, as in the Greater They of JetBlue-dom are still listening, they’ll just be routing your calls to brand-new voice recognition software.
I heard that groan. And I know: Your average voice recognition seems to be about as reliable as … well, as your average flight departure time, come to think of it. The recorded voice comes on all nice and pleasant and asks you to speak your information to her (It's almost always a her). You do. She says, “I’m sorry. I didn’t get that. Please repeat your departure city.” “Akron,” you say. She says, “Do you mean Jakarta?” And it goes on like that until you finally wonder what made you think that picking up the phone would be easier than looking it up online in the first place.
JetBlue seems to think that this system will have 90 percent accuracy. Hey, super! But one of the biggest challenges with voice recognition software is both the variety across callers’ lexicons (e.g. yes, yep, yeah, uh-huh, you bet, sure thing, abso-freaking-lutely) and callers’ accents. One man’s “yes” is another man’s “yay-us” and yet another’s “yuss”. And that’s just within the native-born American accent spread. I’m reminded of a British former boss of mine who was trying to use the company’s dial-by-name system to call “Robert Whirrell” and ended up repeatedly screaming into the phone: “Ro-beh Wee-OOOO! RO-BEH WEE-OOO!”
If JetBlue’s new system really is as good as they say it is, though, this could be a big boon for the company and for callers. JetBlue gets to save money by keeping human-operated call centers small and routing most calls through the electronic system. And customers, on the other hand, get to voice and even yell frustrations about flights, fees, and general life ailments at a computer that sounds just like a person but won’t have to go home crying about how mean people can be. In some situations, including the emotionally charged travel realm, the most humane interactions might just be those that don’t involve humans at all.
(Photo: blog.wired.com)
Posted August 13, 2008 by Zak Patten
There's nothing like a fistful of dollars or a nice, fat stack of twenties to make you feel rich. Looking at your online bank statement or listening to an automated recording of your credit limit just doesn't have the raw visceral power of cold hard cash. Which is what makes two recent airline initiatives so intriguing. On the one hand, there's JetBlue, which has partnered with Western Union to allow passengers to use cash to pay for tickets. On the other hand, there's US Airways, which is eliminating onboard cash payments altogether. To understand this Tale of Two Airlines, we just have to follow the money.
With what has to be one of 2008's most old-school moves, JetBlue has set up its website so that after booking, customers can cruise over to their local Western Union office and slap down a pile of real paper money to pay. Sure, you might have booked online or by phone at 800-JETBLUE, and Western Union might have performed some high-tech wizardry to transfer your payment to the airline, but come on, you just paid for your ticket with money hidden in your sock drawer—how 1970s-cool is that? Customers have until midnight on the day after they book to pay up. Sounds a little Sopranos-esque, but I'm guessing the consequences of not paying are merely that you'll lose your seat, as opposed to your kneecaps.
At the same time JetBlue is letting folks pay for flights with spare change, US Airways is taking the opposite tack and equipping its flight attendants with handheld credit card readers. Starting in 2009, crew members will be able to use these gizmos to easily collect payments for the airline's new charges, such as those for soft drinks. According to Michelle Mohr, US Airways' Spokesperson, “It’s more convenient for our customers. We realize consumers these days aren’t going to have a pocket full of cash. We want to move to a cashless cabin.”
Actually, JetBlue is already using the credit card readers, as are American and Delta. US Airways is hardly breaking new ground here, but in these tough economic times, it probably helps airline bottom lines if people just have to fork over their credit cards rather than fishing for a few bucks in their pockets. After all, when you give someone your credit card, you always get it back, good as new. When you fork over your cash, it's gone for good.
(Photo: Index Open)
Posted August 7, 2008 by Nicki Krawczyk
I was once wandering the aisles of a local retailer when a kid about the size and speed of a wildebeest came barreling around a corner, wailing like a member of Van Halen, and nearly knocked me into a display of Hormel Chili. Following relatively close behind was his mother, who collared the kid and hissed through clenched teeth, “Ryan you are being very bad. If you don’t calm down and behave right now I’m taking you home.” Then, she grabbed one of those giant, frosted, wrapped-in-plastic-because-it-was-actually-baked-in-1992 sugar cookies from a display next to her and said, “Here: Eat this.”
There’s a basic chemical process that happens in the human body whereby, to break it down in non-technical terms, your internal organs absorb sugar and metabolize it directly into crazy. Little Ryan’s body was undoubtedly already undergoing this process and his Mommy was adding fuel to the fire, not understanding that “the hair of the dog” doesn’t apply to cookies. Indeed, this is what we call being “at odds with one’s goals.” You can’t soothe a hyper-hypo with sugar.
Neither can you soothe a riled-up customer base with sugar, as Southwest has tried to do. Now, JetBlue has announced that they’ll be adding a bevy of new beverages to their in-air aperitifs. Specifically, look for ROCKSTAR Energy Drinks, Stirrings Cocktail Mixers and glaceau vitamin water. For those of you who’re keeping track, that’s a “potent herbal blend”of fruit juice and cane sugar, and, um, “nutrients” at the same time you're being asked to "remain in your seats with your seat belts securely fastened” for the duration of this four-hour flight.
Plus, not only is this at odds with one of JetBlue’s goals, it’s also at odds with another: revenue generation. Sure, they’re charging $3 a drink for the high fructose, but they’re also now charging $7 for a blanket and a pillow. Clearly, at four bucks more, the pillow and blanket take the bottom-line cake in terms of profit, but if that cart starts coming down the aisle early in the flight and you’ve got people juicing up on, well, juice, I’d expect a dip in the pillow-blanket income column. And for those passengers unfortunate enough to procure a pillow and blanket but possess a seat next to an imbiber, well, I think that’s probably a mistake they aren’t likely to make again.
(Photo: www.rapidcityjournal.com)
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