JetBlue Launches its Sixth Destination in the Dominican Republic: Samana

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NEW YORK, Nov.14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq: JBLU), New York's Hometown Airline™, launched today its award-winning service to its sixth destination in the Dominican Republic, Samana. JetBlue is the Dominican Republic's largest airline, with more flights in and out of the country than any other carrier. The airline now operates twice weekly flights between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and President Juan Bosch International Airport (AZS) in Samana on Wednesdays and Saturdays – the only service between the United States and this coveted beach destination. Flights are on sale now for as low as $159 one way from JFK to Samana through November 19, 2012 at www.jetblue.com/new for travel between November 17 and February 13, 2013. Blackout dates apply (a). Customers can also purchase a full JetBlue Getaways vacation package from only $459 per person, including a three-night stay for two at the Gran Bahia Principe Cayacoa Hotel (b).

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110404/NY76997LOGO )

"Samana is a beach paradise in the Dominican Republic, a secret worth discovering. We have no doubts our customers will rush to learn everything that this tropical location has to offer," said Scott Laurence, JetBlue's Vice President of Network Planning and Partnerships. "We are very pleased, as the country's largest carrier, to add more options for locals and visitors alike to continue exploring and enjoying everything the country has to offer. Samana is a destination we've long had our eye on; today we thank the Dominican government and communities for the support we continue to receive."

"Dominican Republic's Samana Peninsula features pure ecological bliss with breathtaking coastline, Los Haitises National Park, El Limon Waterfall, secluded beaches and charming towns like Samana, Las Galeras and Las Terrenas," said Francisco Javier Garcia, Minister of Tourism for Dominican Republic. "JetBlue's direct flight to Samana will bring new visitors to our Northeast Coast, create a stronger economy, and ensure dozens of unique hotels, resorts, shops, diverse attractions and delightful restaurants will receive more visitors."

"The government, through the Ministry of Tourism (MITUR) and the private sector, represented by Bahia Principe, AMHSA Marina Grand Paradise Samana, Sublime Samana at VIVA Residence, Puerto Bahia Marina & Residence, Coral Hospitality Corporation, Vista del Cayo, Balcones del Atlantico and El Portillo Beach Club & Spa, all members of the Samana Hotel and Tourism Companies Association (AHETSA), and our company, did not rest until we managed to get an airline like JetBlue to lay their eyes this paradise in the country," said Monika Infante Henriquez, Aerodom's General Director. "We trust this new route will be warmly embraced by the Dominicans traveling from the United States and the thousands of Americans that choose the Dominican Republic for their vacations every year."

JetBlue's schedule between JFK and AZS:

As part of the launch JetBlue will also make a computer and book donation to the Liceo Manuela Mullix Fermin - a school just outside of Samana - through its longtime community partner, the DREAM (Dominican Republic Education and Mentoring) Project. The DREAM Project is an American and Dominican non for profit organization that believes quality education is critical for the future of the Dominican Republic. JetBlue has been DREAM's official ambassador since 2010 and has helped with educational programs for thousands of kids in the country.

In the Dominican Republic, JetBlue also serves La Romana, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, Santiago and Santo Domingo with service to Boston, Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood, New York, Orlando and San Juan. Just last week the airline announced plans for two more routes linking San Juan with Punta Cana and Santiago. JetBlue's service to Samana will operate with the airline's fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft, featuring convenient, assigned seating; a first-checked bag free (c); complimentary and unlimited name brand snacks and drinks; comfy leather seats; more legroom than any other carrier in coach (d); and its award-winning customer service.

About JetBlue Airways        
JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline(TM) with other focus cities in Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Orlando and San Juan. 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) as well as super-spacious Even More Space 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 73 cities with 750 daily flights and plans to launch service to Providence, Rhode Island, as well as Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands this November, and to Charleston, South Carolina in early 2013. 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 (TTY/TDD +1 800-336-5530) from the USA, if located in the Dominican Republic, 1-801-365-2583, or visit www.jetblue.com.

(a) Fare includes government taxes/fees and must be purchased by 11/19/12 (the earlier of 11:59 PM ET or local) for flights from New York, NY (JFK) to Samana, Dominican Republic (AZS) on Wednesday and Saturday only between 11/17/12 - 2/13/13 (blackout dates 12/22/12 - 1/5/13).  Fare will be higher for flights from AZS due to higher government taxes/fees.  Fare is subject to availability; may not be available on all flights; may change without notice; must be purchased at time of reservation; and is one-way, nonstop, nonrefundable and nontransferable.  Reservations made one week or more prior to a flight's scheduled departure may be canceled without penalty up to 24 hours after the reservation is made.  First checked bag is free (weight and size limits and exceptions for itineraries including flights marketed or operated by other airlines apply).  Fares do not include second bag fee or other fees for products/services sold separately.  Oversized and overweight baggage is not permitted on flights to or from the Dominican Republic.   To view baggage fees, baggage policies, and optional services and fees, click here. $20 fee per person applies to fares (not Award flights) purchased by phone or at an airport or ticket office.  Cancellations/changes must be made prior to scheduled departure (otherwise all money for fare is forfeited); $100 change/cancel fee per person will apply, and for changes, there may be a fare adjustment.  Cancellations receive JetBlue travel credit, valid for one year.  Proper documentation required for boarding.  Other restrictions apply.

(b) Package price is per person, based on double occupancy, and must be purchased by 11/19/12 (the earlier of 11:59 PM ET or local) for travel between 11/17/12 - 2/13/13 (blackout dates 12/22/12 - 1/5/13); must depart and return on Wednesday and Saturday. Price shown is sample package price found 11/9/12 on jetblue.com/getaways for travel departing JFK on 12/5 – 12/8/12, 1/9/13 and 1/16/13 for a 3-night stay at Gran Bahia Principe Cayacoa, all Inclusive in Samana, Dominican Republic and may not represent current savings.  Price includes hotel rates, hotel taxes, roundtrip airfare, and government taxes/fees applicable to airfare based on specified departure city.  Price will vary for other departure cities.  Package/price subject to availability; may change without notice; valid for new bookings only; capacity controlled; may not be available on all dates or with all flights; and may be restricted to certain hotel room categories. Price does not include fees for second checked bag or other fees for products/services sold separately or not expressly included in package (such as airport transfers, resort fees, etc.).  Oversized and overweight baggage is not permitted on flights to or from the Dominican Republic.  For JetBlue baggage fees and optional services/fees, click here.  Package must be purchased at time of reservation and is nonrefundable and nontransferable.  Changes/cancellations must be in accordance with JetBlue and hotel change/cancel policies.  JetBlue requires changes/cancellations to be made prior to scheduled departure, otherwise all money for package will be forfeited; $100 change/cancel fee per person applies.  For packages booked by Dec. 31, 2012, JetBlue will waive the $100 change fee for the first change to a Getaways package; cancellation fee still applies.  Hotel change/cancel policies and fees apply, vary by property, and may be more restrictive than the JetBlue policy.  Call 1-800-JETBLUE, option 3 for the specific change/cancellation policies and fees that apply to a particular package.  For changes, there may be an increase in package price. Valid cancellations are for Getaways credit only, valid for 1 year. Proper documentation required for boarding. Other restrictions apply. See Getaways Terms & Conditions.

(c) Baggage weight and size limits and exceptions for itineraries including flights marketed or operated by other airlines apply.

(d) JetBlue offers the most legroom in coach, based on average fleet-wide seat pitch for U.S. airlines.

Reservations
+1 800 JETBLUE (538 2583); if located the Dominican Republic: 1-801-365-2583
TTY/TDD: +1 800 336-5530
www.jetblue.com

SOURCE JetBlue Airways