More Cuts: JetBlue Drops 2 Cross-Country Routes From Los Angeles International Airport

The changes represent a reduction in capacity between Southern California and the Big Apple.

JetBlue Airways will downsize its operation at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) even more in the coming months. It comes as the carrier announced earlier this year that a third of its operation at the airport would be cut, along with four routes being exited entirely.

The move, of course, follows the airline’s failed acquisition plans of ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines. As a result, JetBlue has been working on chartering a path toward profitability and aligning its product with passenger demand.

Pulling two more markets from the City of Angels

According to Aeroroutes and aviation data and analytics provider Cirium, the carrier will slash service to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Orlando International Airport (MCO), while flights to Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) will be temporarily suspended.

Photo: Leonard Zhukovsky | Shutterstock

JetBlue deploys its Airbus A320s between LAX and BUF daily. The service will be out on hiatus July 31st until October 3rd. Throughout this month and next month, the airline will offer nearly 19,800 seats before it goes dark. The route was first launched in June 2016 and became increasingly popular as the carrier was the only one to operate nonstop between the two destinations.

Less capacity to the New York area

The other two routes, LAX-EWR and LAX-MCO, will be slashed this fall. EWR is a newer market from LAX, and was first introduced in November 2020. Catering to heightened demand as pandemic restrictions eased, the airline operated the route thrice daily. Following the 2020 holiday season, frequencies were reduced to twice daily until they were subsequently increased to three flights per day again in the Spring of 2021.

JetBlue continued to respond to the travel surge, increasing frequencies to as many as four daily flights throughout 2022 and 2023. Despite the airline operating multiple frequencies from LAX to its much larger and robust operation at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), the EWR market appeared to have been profitable thus far. The carrier competes with United Airlines, the largest operator between LAX and EWR, and Alaska Airlines and Spirit Airlines, which fly the route daily.

Photo: JetBlue Airways

Between this month and September, JetBlue will operate the route most days with three frequencies. The operation will be boosted to four daily flights on most days in October, before the last flight on October 26th. Cutting LAX-EWR likely seems to be a feasible option for saving money, as the airline can still funnel passengers to JFK. However, it can be an inconvenience for those who favor EWR. It also represents a reduction in premium business class capacity for EWR since the carrier operated its Mint-equipped A321s on the route.

JetBlue began service between LAX and MCO in January 2017. While the route itself sees consistent demand year-round, the airline has only operated daily flights during peak periods throughout the years. It utilizes the A320 on the route and will officially suspend the service on September 3rd.

Reducing the operation to nine cities

The route cuts from LAX are later additions to JetBlue’s significant reduction of service at the airport. Earlier this month, the airline officially cut service to eight destinations: San Francisco, Seattle, Miami, Las Vegas, Reno, Puerto Vallarta, Liberia, and Cancun.

Once EWR and MCO are removed, JetBlue will only operate year-round service from LAX to Boston, Buffalo, Fort Lauderdale, Los Cabos, Nassau, New York-JFK, and Salt Lake City. Service to Hartford, Connecticut, and West Palm Beach will be offered seasonally.

Source: Simple Flying