Read Between the Lines but Just in Case

But just in case they failed to pick up on her [current President Joanna Geraghty] obvious signals, here’s the message in its most simple and straightforward form: “JetBlue Is For Sale!”

Guess you don’t have.

Long Beach Airport Must Allow More Flights

Now, a recent recalculation of that formula using the noise production data of today’s quieter jetliners concluded that Long Beach must allow at least 50 flights a day (if demand exists for that many). Under the terms of the Long Beach noise ordinance, airport officials now have less than 30 days to offer nine additional sets of landing and takeoff rights to the airline community. If no such offer is made, the city’s airport noise ordinance will be voided and, at least in theory, the city would have to allow airlines to offer as many flights there as the facility can handle physically.

I hope that JetBlue capitalizes on these slots! Even more so, I hope that JetBlue and the city of Long Beach can agree to have a customs terminal built and begin some awesome Mexico or even Canadian flying!

update: picture of the Airbus A320 that I flew out of Long Beach on the 16th of December 2015 as a Long Beach based First Officer. 

Republic Airways Leading the Way in Pilot Pay and Quality of Life Improvements

The new agreement includes significant improvements in work rules and pilot quality of life. Additionally, it establishes pay rates that recognize Republic’s pilots as leaders in the regional airline industry, including a transformational $40/hr first year new hire rate.

Republic Airways voting for a large improvement during these times will definitely enable them to bid on more flying and attract more pilots. It'd be nice to see the rest of the contract and compare it to my previous employer and SkyWest. For those who many not know, first year pay when I started in 2006 was at $16.00 an hour and I didn't get to $40 an hour until my fifth year.

In fact, this first year pay bump is just under what first year pay currently is at JetBlue, Spirit, Virgin America and Allegiant.

Can You Guess Who's the Best Coach Airline in North America?

Best overall coach-class airline in North America: JetBlue

Even after the current downgrading, JetBlue's extra legroom still beats any other airline. The de facto charge for a checked bag, at $15 over the minimum fare, is less than on most other airlines. The satellite-based Wi-Fi is free, at slow speeds, and $9 an hour for enough bandwidth to stream movies. And seats in JetBlue's Airbus planes are an inch wider than on any competitors' 737s.

Hope to see you soon on one of my flights!  

JetBlue's New Fare Classes are Better than Meets the Eye

The big news is that the price differential between Blue and Blue Plus tickets is generally only $15. JetBlue has made it a better value to purchase a ticket that includes a checked bag than it is to pay a bag fee, even in advance. In addition, buying a Blue Plus fare earns more TrueBlue points than the base fare, for marginally more money.

In comparison, Delta and United don’t have fares that include a checked bag, nor do they let passengers purchase checked baggage ahead of time for a reduced fee. American does offer fares with checked bag included, but the premium is more than the cost of a checked bag, although it does include group one boarding.

Essentially, if you are going to check a bag, don't book on Orbitz or Expedia and just select Blue Plus via JetBlue.com. Attention media, friends and family, it's still the best out there.

 
 

JetBlue Adds Apple Pay for InFlight Purchases

With many airlines accepting only credit cards these days, I'm glad to see jetBlue getting onboard with Apple Pay. Bravo! And in a few months, we'll be paying with our Apple Watches! ^_^

Starting next week, passengers on select JetBlue Airways flights can use Apple Pay on their iPhone 6 and 6 Plus handsets to buy food, drinks and certain onboard amenities when the plane reaches cruising altitude. You'll be able to upgrade to available premium seats, too.

Update: Looks like a new app will go along the iPad minis too! Way to utilize tech jetBlue!

Apple Pay in the air, JetBlue will deploy iPad minis and NFC-enabled cases to more than 3,500 inflight crewmembers. In addition to the cases with Apple Pay compatibility, each iPad mini will be loaded with a custom-designed iOS app — The Inflight Service Assistant — which will give inflight crewmembers access to customer manifest and flight data to provide the best experience possible to JetBlue customers.

Mint Yourself and Lay Flat!

I can't wait to welcome you aboard!  

Flying Mint felt like being courted. Virgin’s Main Cabin Select felt like a waning long-term relationship — the attendants on my flight (as we know it’s luck of the draw) didn’t try as hard. That said, Mint is a newer contender. Let’s hope the romance lasts.

via NYTimes or for more info, head directly to JetBlue's Mint Page!