JetBlue recently issued a statement detailing the success of its Northeast Alliance (NEA) with American Airlines, following the court’s ruling against the initiative. Despite disagreeing with the decision, the company confirmed plans to wind down the NEA’s operations and focus on alternative initiatives.
“JetBlue’s unique model has successfully disrupted the industry for well over 20 years, and we decided to enter into the NEA as a creative solution to bring more of the JetBlue Effect to customers in New York and Boston, where our growth has been challenged by constraints outside of our control. By all measures, it succeeded,” the company said, according to Businesswire.
Through the NEA, the airline has added new routes and destinations and increased its capacity. The addition has allowed customers to benefit from a larger sum of low-fare flights, loyalty points and JetBlue-American flight connections, which serve as an alternative to Delta and United.
“Despite our deep conviction in the pro-competitive benefits of the NEA, after much consideration, JetBlue has made the difficult decision not to appeal the court’s determination that the NEA cannot continue as currently crafted, and has instead initiated the termination of the NEA, beginning a wind-down process that will take place over the coming months,” the company said, according to Businesswire.
As an alternative, JetBlue will now prioritize its partnership with Spirit to continue adding routes and markets nationwide.
In addition, the airline has requested for the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) to reconsider its disapproval regarding the NEA and to support its strategy, which would involve bringing “a national low-fare competitor to the Big Four.”
“We strongly disagree with the court’s ruling against the NEA and stand behind the pro-competitive impact of the alliance,” the airlines said, according to Businesswire.
JetBlue has assured all customers with existing reservations, as well as prospective customers considering future bookings, that benefits stemming from the NEA will continue to be available in upcoming months, saying it will “continue to work through the legal process to achieve a wind-down plan that protects consumers, and look forward to presenting our view to the court in the coming weeks,” Businesswire said. “With strong momentum, a clear organic plan, and the pro-competitive Spirit combination on the horizon, we are ready to be a force for good in the industry on a more national scale and look forward to advancing our planned combination with Spirit.”