CEO Robin Hayes Says There Is A Niche The Airline Can Fill

JetBlue looks poised to enter the transatlantic market with the new Airbus A321 aircraft it has on order, half of which could be converted into A321LR airliners.

Speaking at the IATA annual meeting in Cancun, JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes said that with the success of its 'Mint' premium cabin service on transcontinental flights, he sees a niche in the transatlantic market for the "premium customer", and the A321 "would allow us to do something a little different" than budget carriers like Norwegian Air and WOW.

Travelpulse online relays a report from Air Transport World that says while legacy carriers like American, Delta and United control 87 percent of the capacity between the U.S. and Europe, Hayes said there is an opportunity extend the Mint brand into overseas markets.

The Mint configuration offers 12 seats that convert into lie-flat beds and four seats in private "mini cabins" at fares much lower than offered by the legacy airlines. Hayes said that he only regrets not putting more of the Mint seats in the existing fleet, as the demand for them on domestic routes has been very high.

JetBlue placed the order for 30 A321 airplanes last year, with delivery expected to come in 2019 and 2020.

(Image from file)

FMI: Original Report