Why is JetBlue announcing major route cuts to these US cities?

JetBlue Airways has made significant changes to its flight network by eliminating multiple routes to increase profitability and streamline operations. The changes will take effect in 2025 and include cuts from major hubs such as New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK), Miami and Austin.
Abolition of main road
The airline will discontinue flights between JFK and several popular destinations including Austin and Houston, Texas, as well as Miami, Florida.
According to CNBC, JetBlue will also end a second daily flight from JFK to Paris and its JFK-London Gatwick route. Other cuts include flights from Westchester, New York, Charleston, South Carolina and Jacksonville to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
In addition, JetBlue will discontinue all flights out of San Jose and discontinue its Premium Mint Business Class on flights to Seattle, instead focusing on reallocating resources to high-demand markets.
Strategic adjustments
In a statement to CNBC, JetBlue explained, “We have made some network adjustments in certain markets, removing some underperforming flying from our schedule, allowing us to realign to high-demand markets and new opportunities, including our popular Mint service.”
The strategy comes as the airline continues to face challenges, including profitability issues in Florida. Dave Jehn, JetBlue’s vice president of network planning, noted that Miami’s profitability has grown in difficult post-pandemic times due to dominance by carriers such as Delta and American Airlines.
JetBlue’s decision to cut the route follows its announcement of better-than-expected revenue and bookings for the 2024 holiday season, sending its shares up 8%. However, the company expects its revenue to decline by up to 5% in 2023, Quartz reported.
The airline has also faced disruptions due to problems with the Pratt & Whitney engines powering its A220 and A321neo fleets. According to AirlineGeeks, JetBlue expects to ground 11-15 aircraft in 2025 due to investigations related to defects in high-pressure turbine discs.
Change strategy
JetBlue’s route cuts reflect similar moves by competitors, aimed at reducing supply and increasing profitability per ticket. The announcement follows the carrier’s abandoned merger with Spirit Airlines, which fell through in March after antitrust objections.
Affected passengers will be offered alternative flight options or refunds if no alternative routes are available, ensuring minimal disruption to travel plans.