Jetblue only extended for 6 more weeks, what gives?

[Jillpie]

They went from April 30th, till June 12th, that's it? Why such a short time, why not at least the entire month of June and July?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Probably they don't have confirmed gates, flight patterns, etc., beyond June 12 (btw, that's six weeks, not five: 31+12=43, 43/7=6 plus a day .)

 

[Jillpie]

Yes, but I thought typically they'll extend for a few months? I thought, what's the point of a few weeks? My husband seems to think its because they're waiting to see how New England does with snow storms and school days off, and how long into June kids will have to go. Then they can jack up the June dates accordingly. Who knows. But thanks for your input.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Nah. They wouldn't use New England weather. Or any longterm weather. Too variable and unpredictable.

 

[Lewisc]

Anyone who knows the answer won't be posting.
You want speculation? Jet Blue is expected to be ready to announce a basic economy fare. I'll speculate they are waiting to release summer booking until the new booking class is ready for booking.

Its possible jet blue is planning significant changes with regard to destinations and flight frequency.

 

[n2mm]

Anyone who knows the answer won't be posting.
You want speculation? Jet Blue is expected to be ready to announce a basic economy fare. I'll speculate they are waiting to release summer booking until the new booking class is ready for booking.

Its possible jet blue is planning significant changes with regard to destinations and flight frequency.

Absolutely agree! This is what I’ve been reading too. They announced cuts a week ago for 2019 already. For me it’s removing Jetblue completely from Dulles airport and eliminating all Florida nonstop flights out of bwi. There are other places that got similar cuts and reductions. I’ve still got service out of Reagan for nonstops to Florida, but a reduction of flights with the release yesterday. I fear the next release will be the announcement of the new level of fares to include the new restricted value level. Ugh

 

[FCDub]

No one that's not in a high-level position with the airline knows why.

 

[Jillpie]

Oh wow. If they decide to stop non stop flights out of Boston, and do connecting, I'm out. And on to Providence with Southwest for good. There is so much good with Southwest, no baggage fees, no flight change fees. They're a lot longer to drive to, but so worth it. Jetblue, the greed is getting to you, and you're no longer my favorite. What a shame.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

No one that's not in a high-level position with the airline knows why.

True. But don't disregard the value of rampant unsubstantiated speculation. That's where the fun is!

Personally I think they are trying to closely match southwest's release schedule. Coming out so far in advance of southwest gives sw a huge advantage on that they can competitively match jet blue. And I'm guessing people often wait until the southwest release before booking jet blue.

My other theory is that they are waiting for little green men from Mars to confirm they are available to take over as pilots .

See, isn't rampant speculation fun?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Oh wow. If they decide to stop non stop flights out of Boston, and do connecting, I'm out.

I don't expect this to happen, based on the BWI/jetBlue thread OP, whose "option" now would be BWI>BOS>MCO.

 

[n2mm]

I don't expect this to happen, based on the BWI/jetBlue thread OP, whose "option" now would be BWI>BOS>MCO.

Correct. That’s the only way to take jetblue to Florida now out of bwi effective January 2019. This part of the change already happened because my February flight from bwi to mco was canceled last week.

 

[Lewisc]

No one that's not in a high-level position with the airline knows why.

Not with certainty BUT we know JetBlue is ready to roll out basic economy. We know Jet Blue is tweaking their routes. Reducing flights on less profitable routes.

It's a pretty good, educated, guess one or both of these "trends" is responsible for Jet Blues short booking window.

 

[kaytieeldr]

BUT we know JetBlue is ready to roll out basic economy

"Ready to" is relative. According to this article https://www.usatoday.com/story/trav...ning-american-united-delta-alaska/1484172002/
these tickets won't be sold until late 2019. That makes it unlikely to be connected to the short extension.

This isn't nearly the first time JetBlue has only extended sales a few weeks. Granted, its short Windows are generally about eight weeks, but there's June 26, 2011; April 3, 2013; April 6, 2014; July 8, 2015...

Courtesy of GrnMtnMan
From Flyertalk (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/jetblue-trueblue/1116766-jetblue-schedule-extension-thread.html):

A brief (and probably incomplete) history of schedule extensions from JetBlue:

• 10 June 2018: the schedule extended through 13 February 2019
• 8 Apr 2018 the schedule extended through 7 January 2019
• 4 Feb 2018: the schedule extended through 27 October 2018
• 12 Nov 2017: the schedule extended through 4 September 2018
• 1 Oct 2017: the schedule extended through 13 June 2018
• 16 July 2017: the schedule extended through 1 May 2018
• 4 June 2017: the schedule extended through 14 February 2018
• 2 April 2017: the schedule extended through 3 January 2018
• 5 Feb 2017: the schedule extended through 28 October 2017
• 13 Nov 2016: the schedule extended through 5 September 2017
• 25 Sep 2016: the schedule extended through 14 June 2017
• 10 July 2016: the schedule extended through 2 May 2017
• 5 June 2016: the schedule extended through 15 February 2017
• 7 February 2016: the schedule extended through 29 October 2016
• 15 November 2015: the schedule extended through 9 September 2016
• 4 October 2015: the schedule extended through 15 June 2016
• 8 July 2015: the schedule extended through 3 May 2016
• 15 March 2015: the schedule extended through 4 January 2016
• 24 January 2015: the schedule extended through 24 October 2015
• 2 November 2014: the schedule extended through 7 September 2015.
• 14 September 2014: the schedule extended through 17 June 2015.
• 13 July 2014: the schedule extended through 30 April 2015.
• 8 June 2014: the schedule extended through 11 February 2015.
• 6 April 2014: the schedule extended through 5 January 2015.
• 2 February 2104: the schedule extended through 25 October 2014.
• 17 November 2013: the schedule extended through 2 September 2014.
• 29 September 2013: the schedule extended through 18 June 2014.
• 14 July 2013: the schedule extended through 30 April 2014.
• 2 June 2013: the schedule extended through 12 February 2014.
• 3 April 2013: the schedule extended through 6 January 2014.
• 3 February 2013: the schedule extended through 26 October 2013.
• 16 December 2012: the schedule extended through 3 September 2013.
• 30 September 2012: the schedule extended through 19 June 2013.
• 22 July 2012: the schedule extended through 30 April 2013.
• 20 May 2012: Schedule extended through 13 February 2013.
• 25 March 2012: Schedule extended through 6 Jan 2013
• 19 February 2012: Schedule extended through 27 October 2012
• 6 November 2011: Schedule extended through 4 September 2012
• 17 July 2011: Schedule extended through 30 April 2012
• 26 June 2011: Schedule extended through 15 February 2012
• 27 April 2011: Schedule extended through 3 January 2012
• 7 March 2011: Schedule extended through 29 October 2011
• 18 October 2010: Schedule extended through 6 September 2011
• 16 August 2010: Schedule extended through 3 May 2011
• 19 July 2010: Schedule extended through 28 February 2011
• 19 April 2010: Schedule extended through 4 January 2011
• 3 December 2009: Schedule extended through 31 October 2010
• 16 July 2009: Schedule extended through 28 February 2010
• 8 May 2009: Schedule extended through 4 January 2010
• 6 March 2009: Schedule extended through 31 October 2009
• 11 December 2008: Schedule extended through 8 September 2009
• 5 September 2008: Schedule extended through 30 April 2009
• 25 April 2008: Schedule extended through 31 January 2009
• 29 December 2007: Schedule extended through 2 September 2008

 

[Lewisc]

I've read mid 2019 for basic economy. Article you quoted might be more recent. My point works if either basic economy starts on the first day of the next schedule extension or on the day following the end of the next extension. In other words the next extension might be designed to coincide with basic economy.

PP might be right. Delay is in deciding which less profitable flights will be gone and what new flights/destinations will be added.

 

[writerguyfl]

As noted, only the people actively involved in upper management at JetBlue know exactly why the schedule extension isn't as robust as expected. My best guess is that this is directly related to B. Ben Baldanza being named to the Board of Directors in mid August.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jetblue-announces-board-director-appointments-210000369.html

Baldanza is best known as the former CEO of Spirit Airlines. If you like JetBlue and know anything about Spirit, hearing that news about Baldanza likely sent a shiver down your spine. He is probably the reason why both change checked bag fees increased back in late August.

Personally, I expect that many of the positive differentiators that I see from JetBlue will slowly be stripped away in the next several years.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, that mess stinks. But still, I feel the short extension window is unrelated. Last year, the October extension was 45 days. One year earlier, the extension was announced in September - but it was still 45 days. Ditto for 2015 - 45 days. Whopping 48 days back in 2014.

 

[StageTek]

I'm disappointed JetBlue has changed the LAX/MCO direct flight. Now it's a "red eye" (12midnight > 7AM) eastbound and an evening (8:30PM > 11PM) westbound. That means a full day in The World at the start of a trip and a nice half day at the end. After May it's a 4PM > 12midnight eastbound and 12:30PM westbound.

It's Delta for me now...

 

[Mikey15]

As noted, only the people actively involved in upper management at JetBlue know exactly why the schedule extension isn't as robust as expected. My best guess is that this is directly related to B. Ben Baldanza being named to the Board of Directors in mid August.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jetblue-announces-board-director-appointments-210000369.html

Baldanza is best known as the former CEO of Spirit Airlines. If you like JetBlue and know anything about Spirit, hearing that news about Baldanza likely sent a shiver down your spine. He is probably the reason why both change checked bag fees increased back in late August.

Personally, I expect that many of the positive differentiators that I see from JetBlue will slowly be stripped away in the next several years.

Well that's a damn shame. We fly JetBlue for the roomier, more comfy seats and not feeling like we're in cattle class. If I wanted to fly Spirit or Southwest or Allegiant I'd be flying them already... I really hope he doesn't wreck JetBlue in the name of chasing that.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Anyone read anything about when the next schedule extension will be? June 21 is our flying date!

That has to be in the next extension. I'm starting to get nervous.

 

[writerguyfl]

Well, that mess stinks. But still, I feel the short extension window is unrelated. Last year, the October extension was 45 days. One year earlier, the extension was announced in September - but it was still 45 days. Ditto for 2015 - 45 days. Whopping 48 days back in 2014.

Rethinking this (and looking at your data), I think you're correct and I'm wrong. This probably something cooked up by Baldanza. (Although, I'm certain he's responsible for the hike in fees as well as any other anti-customer changes that are on the horizon.)