JetBlue Airways and Emirates Partner to Offer New Global Connections

NEW YORK and DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq: JBLU), New York's hometown airline, and Emirates, the Dubai-based international carrier, today announced the launch of an interline agreement that offers travelers seamless connections to cities across the globe via New York's John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport. Over the next few days, customers will be able to purchase joint Emirates-JetBlue itineraries via the GDS, online travel agencies, and by calling Emirates reservations. Fares will soon be available at www.emirates.com.

Emirates is one the world's largest international carriers, flying to 108 cities around the world with a fleet of wide-bodied aircraft equipped with industry-leading comforts in the air. JetBlue is the leading airline at JFK Airport, where it offers premium low-fare service to dozens of cities throughout the Americas and carries more travelers than any other airline. Under today's agreement, travelers will be able to book a single combined ticket for JetBlue and Emirates-operated flights and enjoy one-stop check-in and baggage transfer between the airlines.

From JFK, Emirates offers two daily nonstop flights to its global hub at Dubai International Airport – including service aboard its flagship A380 and its ultra long range 777-300ER – both of which offer travelers fine dining, personalized service and multi award-winning entertainment options. 

In addition to the appeal of its home of Dubai, the commercial and tourism hub of the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) and the Gulf region, Emirates will offer JetBlue customers from cities such as Boston, Chicago, Orlando, and Washington new access to an impressive array of onward destinations. Via Emirates' exclusive home at Dubai's state-of-the-art Terminal 3, customers can connect to cities as diverse as Auckland, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Nairobi, Singapore and Sydney plus ten cities in India, points throughout the Middle East, and a host of exotic island getaways including the Maldives, Mauritius, and the Seychelles.

"We are pleased to partner with Emirates as we continue to expand JetBlue's global reach," said Scott Resnick, the airline's director of airline partnerships. "With its impressive network spanning six continents, its respected and recognized brand, and its reputation for premium customer service, Emirates is a perfect fit for JetBlue's growing portfolio of international partners."

"Our new partnership with JetBlue will enable customers from across the United States to connect quickly and easily to Emirates' extensive network of worldwide destinations,'' said Nigel Page, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for Americas and Africa. ''With both Emirates and JetBlue recognized for their best-in-class services, this is a natural partnership which will enable air travelers within the Americas to look forward to more choice, convenience, value and comfort than ever before.''

Known for its award-winning customer service, JetBlue will offer transfer customers from the U.A.E. and Emirates' network of global destinations a premium experience that includes all-leather seating, unlimited free snacks and drinks, plus the most legroom in economy class (based on average fleet-wide seat pitch) and the most free live entertainment of any U.S. airline. JetBlue operates one of America's youngest airline fleets, with 157 Airbus and EMBRAER aircraft. At JFK Airport, JetBlue operates from its acclaimed new 26-gate Terminal 5, while Emirates operates from the adjacent Terminal 4, allowing for fast and easy connections between flights.

About Emirates

Award-winning Emirates is one of the world's leading airlines. With its quickly expanding fleet of 152 wide-body aircraft, Emirates flies to 108 destinations in 65 countries in Europe, North and South America, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian subcontinent and the Asia-Pacific region. In the United States, Emirates offers double daily services to Dubai and beyond from Houston, Los Angeles and New York, plus daily flights from San Francisco. With 14 A380 aircraft in service and 76 on order, the airline is the largest A380 operator in the world and flies the superjumbo from Dubai to New York as well as to Auckland, Bangkok, Beijing, Jeddah, London Heathrow, Manchester, Paris, Seoul, Sydney, and Toronto. For information or reservations call +1 800 777 3999 from the U.S.A., +971 4 214 4444 from the U.A.E., TTY/TDD +1 888 320 1576, or visit www.emirates.com/usa.

About JetBlue Airways

JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline with other focus cities in Boston, Los Angeles, and Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Florida. Voted "Most Eco-Friendly Airline" by Zagat's Airline Survey in 2008 and 2009, JetBlue has created a new airline category based on value, service and style. In 2010, the carrier also ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Low-Cost Carriers in North America" by J.D. Power and Associates, a customer satisfaction recognition received for the sixth year in a row. Known for its award-winning service and free TV as much as its low fares, JetBlue offers the most legroom in coach of any U.S. airline (based on average fleet-wide seat pitch) and super-spacious Even More Legroom seats. JetBlue is also America's first and only airline to offer its own Customer Bill of Rights, with meaningful and specific compensation for customers inconvenienced by service disruptions within JetBlue's control. Visit www.jetblue.com/promise for details. JetBlue serves 62 cities with 600 daily flights. Service to Hartford, CT begins Nov. 17.  The airline also intends to serve Providenciales, Turks & Caicos in February 2011, subject to receipt of government operating authority. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all fares are one-way, and an overnight stay is never required. For information call +1 800 538 2583 from the U.S.A., +1 801 365 2525 from the U.A.E., TTY/TDD +1 800 336 5530, or visit www.jetblue.com.

SOURCE JetBlue Airways