LONDON – Last week, major American low-cost airline JetBlue officially became the anchor tenant at Orlando International Airport’s (MCO) brand new state-of-the-art Terminal C.
This marks a full move of the airline’s operation in Orlando, with all JetBlue flights now arriving and departing at the new facility. JetBlue ceased flight operations at its former home at Terminal A, with its final flight on October 24.
JetBlue is now the only U.S. carrier in the new Terminal C, operating the largest number of gates, 10 in total, all outfitted with biometric boarding. The move bolsters JetBlue’s service to the region, with plans to operate nearly 70 daily flights to 22 destinations during the peak holiday travel period in December of this year.
The new terminal facility includes a state-of-the-art baggage handling system, 100 percent-automated TSA screening lanes, and facial recognition systems for international departures and arrivals.
In terms of accessibility, the facility links to a brand-new rail station that will connect Brightline rail service to and from South Florida and a planned future link to local SunRail service.
JetBlue statement
“We are excited to lead the way as the anchor tenant at Orlando International’s new Terminal C,” said Joanna Geraghty, president and chief operating officer, JetBlue.
“The terminal’s offerings are great, with remarkable architecture and a variety of food and retail options. This move not only shows our commitment to Orlando and the greater area, but it will also provide a new and elevated experience for our customers as we continue our growth in the region.”
“Terminal C is a vision-to-reality story that fits well with JetBlue’s values and award-winning innovation,” said Kevin Thibault, chief executive officer, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. “We welcome JetBlue to Terminal C and look forward to having it provide an enhanced travel experience for the domestic and international passengers they serve annually.”
JetBlue in Orlando
Orlando has been a JetBlue focus city since 2008. The airline currently employs more than 4,000 crewmembers based in Orlando, with JetBlue’s Orlando Support Center (OSC) serving as both a pilot and inflight crewmember (flight attendant) training base.
JetBlue’s OSC includes a state-of-the-art training facility featuring classrooms, flight and cabin simulators, a ditch pool and other aviation related equipment used to train all new crewmembers joining the airline, as well as those requiring recurrent training over time.
JetBlue’s Orlando training facility also includes The Lodge at OSC, the airline’s 24/7 dormitory facility dedicated to providing a focused training environment for crewmembers.
The Lodge was thoughtfully designed to reinforce JetBlue’s values, inspire collaboration and team building in the delivery of aviation services, and curate the JetBlue experience to the airline’s own crewmembers.
The news of the Orlando consolidation comes at the same time that the airline released its quarter three financials, which show that whilst they hold a reasonably strong position, there is still work yet to be done for the airline to regain pre-pandemic levels.
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