Thursday, January 29, 2009

jetBlue to LAX round two?

JetBlue Airways Corp. was expected to announce today that it would begin flying out of Los Angeles International Airport, with daily nonstop service to Boston and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. The service, which is expected to begin in late spring, could help ignite a transcontinental fare war at LAX, especially for flights to Boston. Two carriers -- American and United -- now offer four daily flights from LAX to Boston's Logan International Airport. A third airline, Virgin America, plans to begin Boston service next month, with fares starting at $149 one-way.

Four airlines currently operate 26 nonstop flights a day from LAX to New York. JetBlue, which has drawn a loyal following at Long Beach Airport with lower fares and newer jets than many other airlines, had hoped to start the LAX service last May. But the carrier grounded the idea after fuel costs got so high that it could not operate the flights without incurring losses. Fuel prices are now at less than half of what they were in May.At LAX, JetBlue is expected to use Terminal 6, which just a few months ago was occupied by start-up Virgin America. That airline has moved to larger quarters at Terminal 3.


(Los Angeles Times)

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