JetBlue to Launch Nonstop Service From New York to Curacao

NEW YORK, NY --(Marketwired - July 30, 2014) - JetBlue Airways ( NASDAQ : JBLU ), New York's Hometown Airline™, will launch a new route to Curaçao International Airport (CUR) from JFK International Airport (JFK) on December 2, 2014 (b), providing the only nonstop service from New York. The twice weekly service will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Curaçao, which is part of the ABC islands that also includes Aruba and Bonaire, is considered a hidden gem amongst all Caribbean island destinations, renowned for its diving, beaches and unique architecture. The historic island is already a popular destination for European travelers and its capital, Willemsted, is a UNESCO World Heritage City.

To celebrate this new route, flights are now on sale starting at $139 one way (a) for travel between December 2, 2014 and February 10, 2015 on Tuesdays and Saturdays (blackout dates December 20, 2014 to January 3, 2015) and tickets must be purchased by August 6, 2014.

"We are really excited to be able to offer customers the only nonstop route from New York to Curaçao and more nonstop flights to the Caribbean than any other airline," said Robin Hayes, JetBlue's President. "This well preserved island is our 31st Caribbean destination, and is a favorite among diving enthusiasts for its healthy coral reefs, and is considered one of the nicest Caribbean escapes for discerning travelers thanks to its pristine beaches and clear water. These natural attractions make the island a natural choice for JetBlue."

This new route is part of JetBlue's continued expansion into the Caribbean and Latin America where one third of its network is operated. As part of the airline's introductory offer, exclusive Getaways packages are available at the Hilton Curaçao for as low as $499 (including airfare) per person in double occupancy for a three night stay (c) valid for travel December 2-23, 2014. Customers heading to Curaçao have the opportunity to bundle flights and hotels with car rentals and other amenities and activities for an additional cost with JetBlue Getaways. More information can be found at www.jetblue.com/vacations/curacao-vacations

"We have been working closely with the team at JetBlue to bring this flight to the island and are thrilled it has come to fruition and we're able to announce it today," said Stanley Palm, Curaçao's Minister of Economic Development. "Curaçao continues to thrive as one of the Caribbean's most diverse and culturally-rich islands and we look forward to now being able to share it with more visitors. New York is a top market for the island, and we are confident that the new nonstop service on JetBlue will meet the demand we've seen from the northeast and international travelers alike."

JetBlue's flights to Curaçao will be operated on a 150-seat Airbus A320 and will offer the airline's award-winning service featuring assigned and comfortable seating; a first-checked bag free (d); complimentary and unlimited name-brand snacks and non-alcoholic/soft drinks; free first-run movies on seatback televisions (e); and more legroom than any other U.S. carrier in coach (f).

JetBlue's schedule between New York and Curaçao, effective December 2, 2014 (b):

About JetBlue Airways

JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline™, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale/ Hollywood, Los Angeles (Long Beach), Orlando, and San Juan. JetBlue carries more than 30 million customers a year to 86 cities in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America with an average of 850 daily flights. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all fares are one-way, an overnight stay is never required and the first checked bag is free (subject to weight and size limits and exceptions for itineraries including flights marketed or operated by other airlines). For more information please visit JetBlue.com .

(a)   Fare includes government taxes/fees and must be purchased by 8/6/14 (the earlier of 11:59 PM ET or local) for flights from New York City, NY (JFK) to Curaçao (CUR) on Tues. and Sat. only between 12/2/14 and 2/10/15 (blackout dates 12/20/14 - 1/3/15). 14-day advance purchase required. Fare will be higher for flights from CUR due to higher government taxes/fees. Fare is subject to limited availability; may not be available on all days or all flights; may change without notice; must be purchased at time of reservation; and is one-way, nonstop, nonrefundable and nontransferable. Reservations made one week or more prior to a flight's scheduled departure may be canceled without penalty up to 24 hours after the reservation is made. First checked bag is free (weight and size limits and exceptions for itineraries including flights marketed or operated by other airlines apply). Fare does not include fees for oversized/overweight/extra baggage or other fees for products/services sold separately. To view baggage fees and other optional services and fees, click here . $25 fee per person applies to fares purchased by phone or at an airport or ticket office. Cancellations/changes must be made prior to scheduled departure (otherwise all money for fare is forfeited); $150 change/cancel fee per person will apply, and for changes, there may be a fare adjustment. Cancellations receive JetBlue travel credit, valid for one year. Proper documentation required for boarding.  Other restrictions apply.

(b) This service is subject to receipt of government operating authority. 

(c) JetBlue Getaways package price is based on double occupancy and must be purchased by August 30 (the earlier of 11:59 PM ET or local). Prices shown are sample package prices found 7/30/14 on jetblue.com/vacations for travel departing JFK on December 2-24, 2014 valid for a 3-night stay at the Hilton Curaçao and may not represent current savings. Price includes hotel rates, hotel taxes, roundtrip airfare, and government taxes/fees applicable to airfare based on specified departure city. Price will vary for other departure cities. Package/price subject to availability; may change without notice; valid for new bookings only; capacity controlled; may not be available on all dates or with all flights; and may be restricted to certain hotel room categories. First checked bag on JetBlue flights is free (weight and size limits and exceptions for itineraries including flights marketed or operated by other airlines apply.) Price does not include fees for oversized/overweight/extra baggage or charges for products/services sold separately or not expressly included in package (such as airport transfers, resort fees, etc.). For JetBlue Optional Services and Fees (incl. baggage fees) for flights, click here . Packages must be purchased at time of reservation and are nonrefundable and nontransferable. Changes/cancellations must be in accordance with JetBlue and hotel policies. JetBlue requires changes/cancellations to be made prior to scheduled departure, otherwise all money for package will be forfeited; $150 change/cancel fee per person applies. Hotel change/cancel policies and fees apply, vary by property, and may be more restrictive than the JetBlue policy. Call 1-800-JETBLUE, option 3 for the specific change/cancellation policies and fees that apply to a particular package. For changes, there may be an increase in package price. Valid cancellations are for Getaways credit only, valid for 1 year. Proper documentation required for boarding. Other restrictions apply. For Getaways Terms & Conditions, visit http://www.jetblue.com/vacations/getaways-terms/ .

(d) Free first bag subject to weight and size limits and exceptions for itineraries including flights marketed or operated by other airlines.

(e) On flights 2 hours or more outside the contiguous 48 states (where live satellite TV and radio programming is not available), complimentary JetBlue Features movies are offered.

(f) JetBlue offers the most legroom in coach, based on average fleet-wide seat pitch for U.S. airlines.