JetBlue plots 'opportunistic' growth in Europe as carrier inaugurates new Dublin routes

14.03.2024 - 14:57 / thepointsguy.com / John F.Kennedy / Joanna Geraghty / Airlines

Editors' note: JetBlue provided TPG with a free one-way business-class ticket for the inaugural Dublin route. All opinions expressed here are the author's alone and were not subject to review by JetBlue.

When JetBlue's first aircraft departed for London amid pomp and circumstance in 2021, it was something of a new frontier for the carrier: its first foray across the Atlantic Ocean.

Nearly three years later, the blaring music of U2 inside Terminal 5 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) signaled another milestone for the New York-based carrier — one that was equal parts new and familiar, given the airline's growing transatlantic presence.

The destination for this latest route launch was unmistakable, thanks to the combination of Bono's voice, widespread green attire along the airport concourse — not to mention the celebratory corned beef and Brussels sprouts served gateside to guests.

Indeed, TPG was there Wednesday night as a JetBlue prepared for its first-ever flight from JFK to Dublin International Airport (DUB). Around the same time, some 215 miles northeast, another Dublin-bound JetBlue flight prepared to depart Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).

That the Emerald Isle appeals to JetBlue is obvious. Millions of travelers fly annually between Ireland and the Northeast U.S., where the carrier's presence is most heavily concentrated, JetBlue's top executive said in public remarks at JFK Wednesday.

"With a strong historic connection between Ireland and the United States, specifically our northeast focus cities in New York and Boston, we are going to continue to deliver on the commitment to bring customers to the places that they most want to go," said JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty, who just marked one month on the job.

Still, for how destination-unique the pre-flight festivities were — complete with Irish dancers and a confetti-showered ribbon-cutting —the occasion itself was equally reminiscent of similar celebrations JetBlue has thrown in recent years.

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Dublin marks the airline's fourth new European destination launched in just the last three years. Before that, it had never previously flown to the continent.

"We've proven again and again and again that when given a fair chance to compete smaller carriers and new entrants generate outsized benefits," Geraghty told the crowd.

Over the next six months, JetBlue will fly more than 267,000 seats to Europe, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.

That's up more than 130% from last year, when it launched new nonstops to Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris and Schiphol Airport (AMS) in Amsterdam.

Dublin isn't the end of its transatlantic