LONDON – JetBlue Airways has officially launched a daily service from New York JFK International Airport (JFK) to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) with the first flight arriving the evening of 9 June.
The scheduled daily nonstop service continues the carrier’s transcontinental growth strategy and extends its low cost fare structure to Canadian customers.
A first for JetBlue
The route not only signifies the first entry for JetBlue into Canada, but it means that the carrier becomes the only airline to service the New York-JFK to Vancouver route.
JetBlue have recently added over 30 international destinations in more than two dozen countries to its scheduling as it strengthens its Northeast Alliance (NEA).
This year, the Alliance will offer nearly 500 daily departures from the three major New York airports.
JetBlue’s vice president of network planning, Andrea Lusso said: “We look forward to not only introducing our outstanding service and competitive fares to Canadian customers but also providing access to all the cities we serve from New York.”
Vancouver and tourism
The Pacific Northwestern city of Vancouver is a boon for tourism and is a popular destination for lovers of the great outdoors. With four distinct seasons each year, it is particularly favourable for year round travel.
Recognising the key importance of the tourism market, President and CEO of Destination Vancouver, Royce Chwin stated:
“JetBlue’s new direct service to JFK means easier access from an important east coast market and is another significant step for Vancouver towards rebuilding our visitor economy.”
“Nonstop air service from key North American cities makes our city an even more appealing destination for business events and for leisure travelers; JetBlue couldn’t have made a better choice as its first Canadian destination than Vancouver.”
The move by JetBlue also further strengthens Vancouver International Airport as a hub, whilst delivering a much needed boost to the local tourism economy.
Russell Atkinson, Director of Air Service Development at Vancouver Airport Authority added his welcome to the carrier, saying:
“We are thrilled to welcome JetBlue to YVR and are proud to make Vancouver the airline’s first Canadian destination in its growing North American network,”
“JetBlue brings another direct link between Vancouver and New York City. The new nonstop service to JFK is an important connection between our two regions for both business and leisure travel, further strengthening YVR’s position as a diverse hub and directly benefiting our community and the economy that supports it.”
Airbus A320
JetBlue will service the daily New York to Vancouver route with its Airbus A320 aircraft. The service will operate daily from June 9 under the flight numbers JFK-YVR Flight #603 and YVR-JFK Flight #604.
About JetBlue
JetBlue Airways (JBU) is a major American low-cost carrier and ranks as the seventh largest North American airline in terms of passengers carried.
Headquartered in New York City, it is a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Los Angeles, Orlando and San Juan.
The airline presently operates to more than 110 cities throughout the United States, Latin America, Caribbean, the United Kingdom, and now Canada.
