JetBlue Begins Service to Fourth Destination in the Dominican Republic: Punta Cana

NEW YORK, May 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq: JBLU) continues to grow in the Caribbean, as it adds service today to its fourth city in the Dominican Republic: Punta Cana. Located on the tropical east end of the island, Punta Cana is the 15th international destination in JetBlue's growing network of 61 destinations across the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin and Central America. JetBlue will begin daily nonstop flights year-round between Punta Cana International Airport and New York's John F. Kennedy (JFK) today and weekly nonstop flights on Saturdays from Boston's Logan International beginning this Saturday, May 8, 2010. A second, seasonal flight from Boston will also be added on Wednesdays beginning July 7, 2010.

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Punta Cana is JetBlue's fourth destination in the Dominican Republic, where the airline has grown substantially in recent years to become the nation's #1 airline (a).  Both routes will be operated with JetBlue's 150-seat Airbus A320 aircraft.

"We are proud to add Punta Cana to our network today as it further enhances our relationship with the Dominican Republic, where we continue to grow and serve millions every year," said Marty St. George, senior vice president of marketing and commercial strategy for JetBlue Airways.  "We offer the best travel product in the Americas, including more legroom, unlimited free snacks and drinks, more free entertainment on personal seatback TVs and more friendly service -- and this means even more options for the Dominican Republic and more options for our Boston and New York customers, too."

"Punta Cana is a top destination in the Caribbean and Latin America for championship golf, luxury resorts and hotels, world-class beaches, azure blue seas and beautiful year-round weather and pampering," said Magaly Toribio, the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism's Vice Minister of International Promotion. "JetBlue is an innovator in meeting the growing demand for the Dominican Republic with the addition of daily flights to Punta Cana. Our busiest airport, Punta Cana International Airport is a major gateway to the DR's sophisticated resorts, magnificent sun, sea and sand. Now travelers through New York can reach paradise in just a few short hours."

Daniel J. Carl, Economic Officer of the United States Embassy in the Dominican Republic, also added: "The Dominican economy has also weathered the economic crisis much better than many of its Latin American counterparts.  The economic resilience can be attributed, in part, to the continued strength of the tourism sector, which would be impossible without great air service provide by U.S. airlines like JetBlue.  This service also empowers more Dominicans to visit friends and family in the U.S. whether they are in Florida, New York, Boston, or elsewhere in the U.S."

"We are excited that JetBlue will now be flying in to Punta Cana and look forward to welcoming more tourists to the region from NYC and Boston," said Frank Rainieri, President & CEO of PUNTACANA Resort & Club. 

JetBlue's new service from JFK to Punta Cana:

JetBlue's new service from Boston to Punta Cana:

JetBlue offers full vacation packages for Punta Cana and 35 other JetBlue destinations.  Through JetBlue Getaways, customers can book discounted vacation packages including airfare, hotel, airport transfers as well as various activities in a single purchase, saving valuable time and money.  For bookings made today through May 20, 2010, multiple all-inclusive resorts are offering reduced rates in celebration of JetBlue's launch, including: Catalonia Royal Bavaro, Gran Bahia Principe Bavaro, Gran Bahia Principe Ambar, Gran Bahia Principe Punta Cana, Sirenis Cocotal Beach Resort Spa and Casino, Secrets Sanctuary Cap Cana, and Unlimited Luxury (b). To book go to www.jetblue.com/vacations.

JetBlue offers Customers a host of premium amenities including a free first-checked bag, the most legroom in coach of any U.S. airline (c), 36 channels of complimentary DIRECTV® (d), more than 100 channels of XM Satellite Radio®, and unlimited free snacks and drinks. In-flight movies are offered complimentary on these routes.  For a small fee customers can upgrade to one of JetBlue's super-spacious Even More Legroom seats, which offer travelers 38 inches of seat pitch.

About PUNTACANA Resort & Club

The development of Grupo PUNTACANA dates back to 1969 when Dominican businessman and hotelier Frank R. Rainieri and Theodore W. Kheel, the prominent New York attorney and labor mediator, created a partnership to construct a resort and real estate community that respects the natural habitat of Punta Cana while offering a world-class vacation experience. Maintaining a dedication to sustainable tourism, PUNTACANA Resort & Club has since grown to encompass over 26 square miles and now includes Tortuga Bay; Six Senses Spa; the PUNTACANA Ecological Foundation; four residential communities (Corales, Hacienda, Marina and Arrecife); a full-service marina; nine restaurants; a shopping village; two 18-hole golf courses; and Punta Cana International Airport, a modern facility that incorporates innovative and eco-friendly design. In 1997, Julio Iglesias and Oscar de la Renta joined the Group as co-investors and have made PUNTACANA Resort & Club their home. Currently, Punta Cana is the most highly visited Caribbean destination and is easily accessible from all over the globe.

About Punta Cana International Airport

Punta Cana International Airport is the leading point of entry to the Dominican Republic and the third busiest airport in the Caribbean, with direct flights to 36 countries and more than 98 cities.

Punta Cana International Airport welcoming approximately two million visitors per year and facilitating air travel for the region's 25,000 hotel rooms is an integral part of the Dominican Republic's economic and tourism infrastructure, has been able to maintain passenger traffic to date due to the efficiency of its operations, the geographical diversity of its tourist base and the strength of the Punta Cana and Bavaro tourism offerings.

About JetBlue Airways

Voted "Most Eco-Friendly Airline" by Zagat's Airline Survey in 2008 and 2009, New York-based JetBlue Airways has created a new airline category based on value, service and style. In 2009, 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 fifth year in a row. Known for its award-winning service and free TV as much as its low fares, JetBlue is now pleased to offer customers Lots of Legroom and super-spacious Even More Legroom seats. JetBlue introduced complimentary in-flight e-mail and instant messaging services on aircraft "BetaBlue," a first among U.S. domestic airlines. 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 60 cities with 650 daily flights. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all fares are one-way, and an overnight stay is never required. For information or reservations call 1-800-JET-BLUE (1-800-538-2583), TTY/TDD 1-800-336-5530 or visit www.jetblue.com.

1. Based on service capacity as measured by Available Seat Miles (ASMs).
2. Offer ends 5/20/10.  Packages must be purchased by 5/20/10 for travel completed by 6/30/10.  Receive reduced rates at the following hotels: Catalonia Royal Bavaro, Gran Bahia Principe Bavaro, Gran Bahia Principe Ambar, Gran Bahia Principe Punta Cana, Sirenis Cocotal Beach Resort Spa and Casino, All Inclusive, and Secrets Sanctuary Cap Cana, Unlimited Luxury.  Minimum 3-night stay required. Offer is reflected in the package price. Subject to availability, restrictions may apply.
3. JetBlue offers the most legroom in coach, based on average fleet-wide seat pitch for U.S. airlines, excluding premium coach products.
4. DIRECTV® service is not available on flights outside the continental United States; however, where applicable in-flight movies are offered complimentary on these routes.

SOURCE JetBlue Airways