JetBlue Launches New Flights to Costa Rica's Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport in Liberia

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NEW YORK, Nov. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- JetBlue Airways today (Nasdaq: JBLU) is pleased to begin four weekly non-stop flights to Liberia, in Costa Rica's rich Guanacaste region, from its home base at New York's JFK Airport. To celebrate, the airline is also offering an inaugural fare of only $119 if booked by December 1, 2011 for travel through February 15, 2012 (b).

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

Liberia, on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast, will be the airline's second destination in the country. JetBlue has served Juan Santamaria International Airport in the capital, San Jose, with nonstop service from Orlando, since 2009.

Named after the national tree of Costa Rica, Guanacaste is one of the country's most popular vacation and ecotourism destinations thanks to nearly a dozen well-known biological reserves, national parks and wildlife refuges. Known as a haven for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers alike, stunning Pacific coastlines are plentiful in this northwestern province, as are the seemingly endless hours of summer sunlight.

"Liberia is a world-class destination with a really diverse set of attractions," said JetBlue Director Schedule Planning Dave Clark. "We'll be offering the only direct service from JFK and we're excited to make it easy for customers to get to the beautiful Pacific Coast of Costa Rica." [Full video interview at http://blog.jetblue.com/?p=18305].

"JetBlue's inaugural flight to Liberia is certainly a momentous occasion for Costa Rica, as travelers will now have unprecedented access to the country's Northwest region, home to a bounty of attractions that satisfy travelers' every need. We look forward to welcoming JetBlue passengers into our country, where they can experience first-hand our rich culture, commitment to sustainability and the happiness that is unique to our country," commented Costa Rica Minister of Tourism Allan Flores.

Schedule between New York and Liberia:

This week the airline also began service to La Romana, Dominican Republic, and launched Westchester County, New York's only international flight to Nassau, Bahamas. JetBlue is also launching direct flights from San Juan, Puerto Rico to St. Maarten today. To celebrate the airline's destination launches, JetBlue is waiving surfboard fees network wide between November 17 and December 17, 2011. 

JetBlue five-hour flights between New York and Liberia will be operated 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 Costa Rica
Nestled between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica is located in Central America between Nicaragua and Panama. The country represents only .05 percent of the planet's surface but shelters almost 5 percent of the world's biodiversity and 3.5 percent of the world's marine life. Costa Rica is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, four types of forest, 12 microclimates and more than 500 species of flora and fauna, with more than 26 percent of its territory comprising national parks and other protected areas, making the country one of the most popular sustainable tourism destinations in the world. 

Some of Costa Rica's most notable recognitions include: TripAdvisor 2011 Travelers' Choice Beaches Award for top beach in Central and South America; the Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Award 2010 for best resort in the Americas and best hotel in Central America; Travel Weekly Readers' Choice Award 2010 for the seventh consecutive year for best destination in the Americas; and Apple Vacations 2011 Crystal Apple Award for Best Destination.

About JetBlue Airways
JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline™ with other focus cities in Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, and Orlando. 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 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 68 cities with 650 daily flights and later this year plans to introduce service to St. Croix and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. 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.

(a) The standard $100 fee for checking a surfboard will be waived between November 17, 2011 and December 17, 2011 on all JetBlue flights to all destinations where surfboards are accepted.  (Surfboards are accepted to all destinations except to/from Bermuda, Santo Domingo and Santiago). Offer limited to one surfboard per customer. Surfboards are included as part of a customer's baggage allowance and customers checking a surfboard and a bag will be subject to the second bag fee, and additional bags are subject to corresponding baggage fees.  Surfboards must be in a hard or soft-sided case, one surfboard per case. Any item weighing more than 100 lbs. will not be accepted as a checked bag.

(b) Fares valid until 12/1/11 (the earlier of 11:59 PM ET or local) for flights between New York City (JFK) and Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) on Tues. or Wed. only between 12/1/11 – 2/15/12 (Blackout dates: 12/16/11 – 1/4/12). 14-day advance purchase required. Fares are subject to availability; valid for new bookings only; may change without notice; must be purchased at time of reservation; and are one-way, nonrefundable and nontransferable. Fares do not include:  Passenger Facility Charges up to $9.00 each way; September 11 Security Fees up to $5.00 each way; U.S. Arrival/Departure Tax of $16.30 each way; and government fees and taxes up to $329.00 each way. Fares also do not include $35 second bag fee, fees for oversized/overweight/extra baggage, and other fees for products/services sold separately.  $15 fee applies to fares (not Award flights) purchased by phone or at a JetBlue ticket office. Taxes/fees must be paid at time of purchase and are subject to change as required by law. Cancellations/changes must be made prior to scheduled departure (otherwise all money for fare is forfeited) by visiting jetblue.com, or calling 1-800-JETBLUE (1-800-538-2583), TTY/TDD 1-800-336-5530. $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. For Award flight cancellations, TrueBlue points will be re-deposited to the Member's account.  Proper documentation required for boarding.  Other restrictions apply; see jetblue.com/about/legal/legal.asp.

(c) Baggage weight and size limits apply.

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

SOURCE JetBlue Airways