To the Big Apple: JetBlue Returns to Pittsburgh-New York Market

JetBlue is bringing back nonstop service New York City, a market it last served from Pittsburgh nearly 12 years ago.

Beginning April 30, JetBlue will launch daily, year-round service between Pittsburgh International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport, the carrier announced Wednesday.

The PIT-JFK route is part of an expansion by JetBlue for this summer, which includes multiple new routes and cities, as the airline strengthens its East Coast network focused on leisure travel.

“With these new destinations and routes, JetBlue is introducing even more travelers to our industry-leading service, strengthening our position in New York and as the East Coast’s leisure airline,” said Daniel Shurz, JetBlue’s head of revenue, network and enterprise planning. “We’re excited to build on our momentum, offering customers across the Northeast and beyond even more travel opportunities.”

The PIT-JFK route will operate with the outbound flight departing from PIT at 7 a.m. and arriving at JFK at 8:30 a.m. The inbound flight will depart from JFK at 10:15 p.m. and arrive at PIT just before midnight. Flights are for sale and can be booked at JetBlue.com.

Along with providing more service to the New York market, JetBlue will add connectivity for Pittsburghers traveling to the Caribbean. Bi-directional connections offered by JetBlue via JFK include popular markets like San Juan, Punta Cana, Montego Bay, Aruba and Nassau, and unique destinations such as Turks and Caicos, Barbados and St. Kitts.

Additionally, JetBlue codeshares with numerous international carriers that serve JFK, including Turkish Airlines, Air Serbia and Qatar Airways.

The regional economic impact of JetBlue’s PIT-JFK service is estimated to generate $14 million and add up to 136 additional jobs, according to Boston-based research firm EBP-US.

JetBlue will operate the PIT-JFK route with its growing fleet of Airbus A220-300 aircraft seating up to 140 passengers. Fitted with the airline’s latest onboard product, JetBlue’s A220s offer free high-speed wi-fi, in-flight entertainment and in-seat power at every row. Additionally, JetBlue also offers its Even More Space extra legroom seating available for purchase.

The Airbus A220 is a key aircraft for JetBlue as it modernizes and grows its fleet. As one of the newer aircraft types to enter service in the last few years, the A220 has quickly become popular with passengers for its quieter cabin, larger overhead bins for carry-on items, mood lighting, large windows and 2×3 seating layout ideal for both couples and families traveling together.

New York-Kennedy was first added by JetBlue at PIT when it entered the Pittsburgh market in June 2006, along with service to Boston. JetBlue’s PIT-JFK service operated until February 2013 while it continues its Boston service today.

In addition to resuming New York-Kennedy this spring, JetBlue is upgrading its Pittsburgh-Boston flights to A220s with the planned retirement of its Embraer E190 fleet expected later this year, adding more capacity to the route.

JetBlue joins American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, which also offer daily nonstop flights to their hubs at New York-Kennedy from PIT.

Overall, five carriers now serve business and leisure travelers to the Pittsburgh-New York market via New York City’s three primary airports, including:

• Newark (EWR) on Spirit Airlines and United Airlines
• New York-Kennedy (JFK) on American, Delta and JetBlue
• New York-LaGuardia (LGA) on American and Delta