jetBlue to add seasonal Anchorage service from Portland for summer 2015

In a bid to expand further and meet the increased demand for air-travel during the summer of 2015, low-cost carrier JetBlue Airways announced its plans to increase its presence in Portland, OR.

In order to attain its objective, the carrier will introduce a fourth non-stop flight from the Portland International Airport to Anchorage, Alaska. JetBlue also operates non-stop flights from Portland to Boston, New York JFK and Long Beach, CA. The carrier already offers nonstop seasonal summer service to Long Beach and Seattle from Anchorage.

JetBlue Airways’ new daily seasonal service will be on offer from Jun 18 to Sep 8. The flight from Portland will depart at 8.49 p.m. and arrive at Anchorage at 11.29 p.m. The return flight will be of a slightly longer duration, departing from Anchorage at 11.59 p.m. and arriving at 4:35 a.m. in Portland. As an introductory offer, JetBlue is charging $99 (one-way) from fliers who buy their tickets by Jan 13, 2015.

We note that JetBlue will compete with Alaska Airlines, on the Portland–Anchorage route.

JetBlue Airways is constantly looking to expand its services. Earlier in the week, the carrier enhanced its San Francisco-Las Vegas connectivity by introducing new twice daily non-stop flights from San Francisco International Airport to Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport.

JetBlue Airways, like many other carriers, is benefiting from low fuel costs. The benefit is expected to sustain in 2015 as well.

(Zacks Equity Research)