JetBlue Airways to Offer New Service to the U.S. Virgin Islands

JetBlue Airways to Offer New Service to the U.S. Virgin Islands

The USVI Department of Tourism is pleased to announce that JetBlue Airways, the popular value air carrier, will begin serving the Territory for the first time later this year. At a press conference in San Juan last week, JetBlue outlined plans to open three new routes to the Territory that will provide an increase in regional and stateside airlift just in time for winter season. The new flights represent an addition of more than 88,000 seats to the Territory annually.

In addition to the new service from San Juan, the airline will make it easier than ever for New Englanders to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands with plans to launch service between Boston and St. Thomas this winter. Effective December 15, 2011, the airline will launch daily flights between Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and St. Thomas International Airport (STT). The flights from Logan International Airport will operate for the winter season with five weekly departures beginning December 15, 2011.

JetBlue’s flights from San Juan will be operated with the airline’s quiet and fuel efficient 100-seat Embraer 190 aircraft (E190), while flights from Boston will be operated with the airline’s Airbus A320 fleet. Flights for all three new routes are now on sale at www.jetblue.com.

“We are extremely pleased that JetBlue will launch new service to the U.S. Virgin Islands both regionally and with dedicated stateside service.” said Governor de Jongh.

“In developing the new service, we have always been mindful that consistent cost-effective air service to/from San Juan provides an important economic and tourism function for our local community and businesses. The added capacity created by this new JetBlue service to both St. Croix and St. Thomas will not only allow us to maximize the inbound market from Puerto Rico and market to potential visitors connecting through San Juan, but it also provides additional flights for Virgin Islanders traveling to Puerto Rico.” added Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty.

“Furthermore, JetBlue’s service from the Boston market represents an increase in weekly airlift and will help us effectively meet the growing demand for travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands from the New England region,” said Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty. “We look forward to working closely with the JetBlue team to make these new routes a success for both the airline and the destination.”