Cnbc
@cnbc·4.2M subscribers·16.1K videos
How JetBlue Is Challenging American, United and Delta
Posted
January 24, 2019
Views
940,332
Likes
8,793
Comments
1,094
Engagement
1.05%
January 24, 2019
940,332
8,793
1,094
1.05%
Every word spoken in this episode is indexed. Type any phrase to jump straight to the moment it was said.
Type any word or phrase that may have been spoken. Click a result to seek the player to that exact moment.
Try a name, a topic, or a quoted line
In just two decades, JetBlue Airways became a major mainstream player in the U.S. airline industry. But in 2018, its shares plummeted. To keep up in the big leagues, JetBlue is aggressively trying to raise revenue and keep a lid on costs.
JetBlue Airways is looking more like its bigger competitors these days.
Plans for the New York-based airline were unveiled in February 1999. JetBlue took its first flight in the winter of 2000, vowing to "bring humanity back to air travel." Now entering its third decade, it is adopting measures used by some more established airlines to drum up revenue and please skeptical investors as its stock price struggles. Increasing baggage fees? Check. Plans for a no-frills coach service? Check. Chasing those lucrative business travelers? Check. Slimming down corporate-office ranks? Check.
JetBlue's challenge is holding onto its quirky culture and succeeding at airlines' tough balancing act: keeping investors and passengers happy.
"We're exiting that awkward teenage stage and becoming adults," said Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue's president and COO.
Despite updates like new planes and cabins, JetBlue wants to hold onto its customer-focused approach that won it a loyal following.
"Customers expect good service, and when they don't get it, they're vocal about it," said Geraghty.
Armed with a fleet of brand-new Airbus jets, each outfitted with leather seats and individual screens offering satellite television, JetBlue was the brainchild of serial airline entrepreneur David Neeleman. He'splanning to launch a new U.S. airline.
JetBlue took its first flight on Feb. 11, 2000, from New York's John F. Kennedy International. The carrier's bet on JFK was a gamble on whether travelers would trek out to an airport more known for international service than for short- and medium-haul flights.
"The joke was you could bowl down the runway," said Mark Ahasic, who joined JetBlue a month after its first flight and stayed on for more than six years helping to plan flights and run operations.
» Subscribe to CNBC
About CNBC: From 'Wall Street' to 'Main Street' to award winning original documentaries and Reality TV series, CNBC has you covered. Experience special sneak peeks of your favorite shows, exclusive video and more.
Connect with CNBC News Online
Get the latest news
Follow CNBC on LinkedIn
Follow CNBC News on Facebook
Follow CNBC News on Twitter
Follow CNBC News on Google+
Follow CNBC News on Instagram
#CNBC
#JetBlue
How JetBlue Is Challenging American, United and Delta
Sentinel Indexing in Progress
Metadata and chapters are available. Claim extraction for this episode is pending.
All video content is delivered via YouTube embedded players in accordance with the YouTube Terms of Service. Sentinel provides research tools that promote discovery and accountability across political media.
