The transatlantic axis with 73 million seats on sale in summer 2019 seems to be rather mature. Since theopen sky agreement and joint ventures between American and European airlines, the number of routes between the two continents has multiplied, including connections that would have been unimaginable just a decade ago. American Airlines, for example, launched two new routes this summer, Charlotte-Munich and Berlin-Philadelphia, while Delta Airlines is linking Boston to Edinburgh this summer. So it's hardly surprising that the airline Jetblue - which serves the American continent exclusively - is also setting its sights on the transatlantic market. The carrier intends to launch several daily flights to London since New York JFK and Boston with an Airbus A321LR, a long-haul version refitted for the carrier's future transatlantic services. The MINT' class of JetBlue will in fact be improved compared to its domestic version, which offers sleeper seats.
" London is the most important metropolitan area that JetBlue does not yet serve from Boston and New York, and we would be delighted to change that in the years to come. And when you see the fares charged by the airlines on these routes, particularly in premium class, you'd be ashamed to say the least." recently explained Joanna GeraghtyPresident and CEO of JetBlue.
JetBlue has built its reputation on above-average standards of service and extremely competitive fares. In economy class, the distance between two seats is 86 cm, 12 cm more than in most other airlines' economy classes.
The management of JetBlue has stated that its arrival in Europe will be the ". the next natural step "of its expansion strategy. The carrier is studying which London airport it would like to serve, and has already announced that other single destinations will be served in Europe. Paris and theGermany would also be targeted. " It is time for the regulatory authorities on both sides of the Atlantic to create the conditions for small carriers and new entrants to prosperInstead of letting the aviation giants get even stronger, thanks in particular to joint ventures. If given a chance, JetBlue could have a huge effect on lowering fares and boosting traffic. "Joanna Geraghty added.
The arrival of JetBlue would take place in a context of capacity moderation on the transatlantic axis. According to the consultant OAGThe current transatlantic flight schedule for summer 2019 shows a year-on-year decline in frequency, the first in five years, while capacity growth is anaemic. According to the timetable analysis, frequencies on the transatlantic route are down by 0.7% this summer for a capacity increase of +0.3%, i.e. just under 200,000 additional seats. The disappearance of Primera Air and WOW Air and the end of fifth freedom flights by Air India and Kuwait Airways between Europe and North America contributed to this mediocre result. However, the number of seats on each transatlantic flight rose to 279.5, compared with 260.8 in 2013.
The largest airlines in the transatlantic market - the three major US airlines - are all reporting year-on-year capacity growth. The capacity of American airlines this summer is up, while that of European airlines on the North Atlantic is down - with the notable exceptions of TAP, Norwegian, Eurowings, Finnair, LOT Polish Airlines, Alitalia, Air France and KLM.
JetBlue a victim of the Air Italy dispute?
JetBlue is set to play the spoilsport, but the airline will have to contend with a tense situation between Europeans and Americans. The bone of contention between the European Union and the USA is called Air Italyformerly Meridiana, and today a subsidiary of Qatar Airways. Air Italy flies to Los Angeles, MiamiNew York and San Francisco since Milan. A situation that the three major American airlines consider to be commercial aggression by Qatar Airways on American soil, which the European Union does not understand, since Qatar Airways remains a minority shareholder (49%). The possible suspension of Air Italy's American routes - if the three American airlines' complaint to the US Civil Aviation Authority is successful - could turn into a real casus belli for the European Union. The EU could in turn block any new routes or airlines to the EU. JetBlue could suffer as a result, a paradox given that the company has defended Air Italy...
