NEW YORK, Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Award-winning JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq: JBLU) today celebrated continued international expansion into Latin America and the Caribbean as inaugural Flight 871, the value airline's first to the island of Barbados, taxied in at Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) in Bridgetown from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The sold out 150-seat
Airbus A320 aircraft was welcomed to the most easterly island of the Caribbean with a traditional water cannon salute upon arrival as the captain and first officer proudly waived the American and Barbadian flags from the cockpit windows. JetBlue now serves Barbados with daily nonstop flights year-round from New York -- where connections to other destinations in the Northeast are available.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090217/NY71475LOGO-b )
To further celebrate the inaugural service, JetBlue is offering a special $99 (a) sale fare each way for U.S. originating travel between New York and Barbados. Flights are on sale today through Tuesday Oct. 6 at www.jetblue.com for travel between Oct. 8 and Dec. 16, 2009. Blackout dates and other restrictions apply (a).
"The beautiful and popular island of Barbados today joins JetBlue's growing selection of Latin American and Caribbean destinations on our route map, providing more choices, low fares and a higher value travel experience for our customers," said Robin Hayes, executive vice president and chief commercial officer for JetBlue Airways. "In addition to providing more comfort with leather seats and ample legroom, more free live entertainment with personal seatback TVs and a quality selection of free snacks and drinks, we also operate our airline with a keen eye on providing the best customer service experience possible. We look forward to introducing our new Barbadian customers to the JetBlue Experience."
"JetBlue has an excellent reputation and we are happy to be partnering with them in what we anticipate will be a fruitful and mutually beneficial relationship," said Barbados Minister of Tourism, the Honorable Richard Sealy.
"I am very pleased to welcome JetBlue to the growing community of American businesses active in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean," said Dr. D. Brent Hardt, Charge d'Affaires, a.i. of the U.S. Embassy to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. "As one of the most successful U.S. air carriers, JetBlue will bring the highest standards of customer service to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. JetBlue's arrival will offer expanded travel options for Americans who wish to visit Barbados and St. Lucia, and for Barbadians and other Eastern Caribbean nationals who wish to visit the U.S. JetBlue's decision to inaugurate these flights reflects the continuing affinity that U.S. citizens feel for Barbados and St. Lucia as premier vacation destinations. We welcome JetBlue to the region and we look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with this outstanding American business partner."
"The Chairman and Board of Directors of Grantley Adams International Airport Inc. welcome the commencement of daily JFK JetBlue services, and are looking forward to a long co-operative and successful partnership with this new airport stakeholder," said Joseph Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Grantley Adams International Airport. "JetBlue customers can be assured that there will be the usual Barbadian airport welcoming experience on arrival and departure. As these services grow, the airport is expectant of extensions of JetBlue's service into even more U.S. points, and all aspects of facilitation will be extended to ensure that the airport experience reflects a team approach and excellent and caring service by all airport agencies."
JetBlue's new service between JFK and Barbados:
New York (JFK) Barbados (BGI) to
to Barbados (BGI) New York (JFK)
Depart - Arrive Depart - Arrive
9:15 a.m. - 2 p.m. (01Oct-31Oct) 3 p.m. - 8:01 p.m. (01Oct-31Oct)
8:30 a.m. - 2:18 p.m. (01Nov-04Jan) 4:20 p.m. - 8:31 p.m. (01Nov-04Jan)
JetBlue also offers full vacation packages for Barbados and 34 other JetBlue destinations. JetBlue Getaways customers book discounted vacation packages including airfare, hotel, airport transfers and/or various activities at one time, saving valuable time and money. Customers can book a JetBlue Getaways vacation package to Barbados at www.jetblue.com/getaways or through the JetBlue Getaways desk by calling 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583), option 3. Current special offers on air and hotel packages to celebrate JetBlue's inaugural flight include (b):
- Almond Beach Club and Spa, All Inclusive - reduced rates plus $100 resort credit
- Almond Beach Village, All Inclusive - reduced rates plus $100 resort credit
- Almond Casuarina Beach Resort, All Inclusive - reduced rates plus $100 resort credit
- Crystal Cove, All Inclusive - reduced rates
- Discovery Bay Barbados by Rex Resort - reduced rates
- Hilton Barbados - reduced rates, free night, free breakfast
- The Crane Resort and Residences - reduced rates plus room upgrade
- Turtle Beach, All Inclusive - reduced rates
Barbados is one of 17 international locations served by JetBlue, and one of the more than 50 destinations throughout the Americas. In addition to its new Barbados flights, JetBlue will also begin new service to Saint Lucia on October 26 and Kingston, Jamaica on October 30. In 2009, the airline has also added new service to international destinations including Bogota, Colombia; San Jose, Costa Rica; and Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Earlier this year, JetBlue was also ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Low-Cost Carriers in North America" by J.D. Power and Associates, a customer satisfaction recognition received for the fifth year in a row. JetBlue was also recently recognized as a winner in Budget Travel Magazine's 5th annual Extra Mile Awards, celebrating companies and destinations that are going the 'extra mile' to make travel easier and more affordable in 2009. New York's hometown value carrier, already traveler-friendly, was recognized for upping the ante on its in-flight perks, including free snacks and drinks, personal seatback televisions and comfy leather seats, bringing equally valuable amenities to the airport experience, including gate-side food delivery options at its new Terminal 5 at JFK.
About JetBlue Airways
New York-based JetBlue Airways has created a new airline category based on value, service and style. In 2009, the carrier ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Low-Cost Carriers in North America" by J.D. Power and Associates, a customer satisfaction recognition received for the fifth year in a row.
Known for its award-winning service and free TV as much as its low fares, JetBlue is now pleased to offer customers Lots of Legroom and super-spacious Even More Legroom seats. JetBlue introduced complimentary in-flight e-mail and instant messaging services on aircraft "BetaBlue," a first among U.S. domestic airlines. JetBlue is also America's first and only airline to offer its own Customer Bill of Rights, with meaningful and specific compensation for customers inconvenienced by service disruptions within JetBlue's control. Visit www.jetblue.com/promise for details. JetBlue serves 58 cities with 650 daily flights. New service to Saint Lucia begins on October 26. The airline will also commence service to Kingston, Jamaica on October 30. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all travel is ticketless, all fares are one-way, and an overnight stay is never required. For information or reservations call 1-800-JET-BLUE (1-800-538-2583), TTY/TDD 1-800-336-5530 or visit www.jetblue.com.
(a) Travel must be booked by October 6, 2009, 11:59 PM MT. All fares are subject to change without notice. Travel costs $15 more per person if purchased by telephone, or at an airport or city ticket office. Fares require up to a 7-day advance purchase. Travel must take place between October 8, 2009 and December 16, 2009. Travel must be completed by December 16, 2009. Blackout dates for travel are between November 25, 2009 and December 1, 2009. Travel must take place on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and/or Friday. Fares may not be available on all days or on all flights. All fares must be purchased at time of reservation, and are one-way, nonrefundable, and nontransferable. Cancellations and changes can be made prior to scheduled departure for $100 per person at 1-800-JETBLUE (1-800-538-2583), TTY/TDD 1-800-336-5530, 001-801-365-2525 if located internationally, or at jetblue.com, with applicable fare adjustment. Cancellations are for a JetBlue travel credit only, which is valid for one year. If a reservation is not changed or canceled prior to scheduled departure, all money associated with the reservation is forfeited. Fares do not include Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9 each way, September 11th Security Fees of up to $5 each way and a Federal Segment Tax of $3.60 per domestic segment. A segment is a takeoff and landing. International fares also do not include government fees and taxes of up to $127.60 each way. All taxes and fees must be paid at the time of purchase. JetBlue reserves the right to deny boarding to passengers without proper documentation. A second bag fee of $30 applies. DIRECTV(r) service is not available on flights outside the continental US. Barbados service begins October 1, 2009. Other restrictions apply. ©2009 JetBlue Airways
(b) Offers end 10/31/09. Packages must be purchased by 10/31/09 for travel between 10/01/09-12/14/09. The Crane Resort and Residences - receive reduced rates plus guaranteed upgrade from junior garden view suite to one bedroom ocean view suite. Minimum 3 night stay required. Not combinable with any other promotions. Almond Beach Club and Spa, Almond Beach Village, Almond Casuarina Beach Resort- receive reduced rates and $100 resort credit. Credit is per room, per stay and do not apply to product or gratuities. May be used for upgraded dinner menus and bottled wine. May be combined with other offers, excluding interline rates and complimentary stays. Hilton Barbados - stay for 3 consecutive nights and receive the 4th night free, plus receive reduced rates. Maximum one free night per stay and minimum 4 night stay required. Receive complimentary breakfast for two daily for the duration of the stay. Breakfast will be deducted from the final hotel bill. Crystal Cove, Turtle Beach - reduced rates valid with a minimum 3 night stay. All resorts - Resort credit and free breakfast are non-transferable, have no cash value, and any unused portions will be forfeited. Reduced rates and room upgrade are reflected in the package price. Subject to availability, restrictions may apply. Getaways terms and conditions apply.
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